A fault in the 'easy open' pull tab of Genova and Van Camp tuna sold across the US means the cans are at risk of being contaminated with a bacteria that can cause fatal food poisoning

Several canned tuna products made by Tri-Union Seafoods have been voluntarily recalled after it was discovered that a manufacturing defect could lead to botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. The products were sold at Costco and other major retailers under popular brand names like Genova and more.

The recall was triggered by "a manufacturing defect that may compromise the integrity of the product seal (especially over time), causing it to leak, or worse, be contaminated with clostridium botulinum," the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) said.