Chicken of the Sea International’s Genova Premium Tuna brand is asking consumers who received Mediterranean meal kits to dispose of them.
In May, the brand began giving away the meal kits on its website to celebrate Mediterranean Diet Month on a first-come, first-serve basis.
However, Genova is now asking consumers to dispose of the meal kits “due to potential health hazard with the glass jar of arugula pesto, glass jar of kalamata olives and sealed pouched containing dried dates provided within the meal kit,” according to an email from the company.
“We recently discovered that some of the glass jars of arugula pesto and some of the glass jars of kalamata olives may have been leaking when they arrived at final destinations, so there is a chance the containers were not sealed correctly,” the spokesperson said. “In addition, there is potential of mold growth within the sealed pouched containing dried dates.”
No illnesses have been reported to the company and Chicken of the Sea is asking for the disposal “out of an abundance of caution.”
“Chicken of the Sea International…assures the safety and quality of the tuna has not been compromised in any way,” the supplier said.
The company is offering customers who received the meal kits a basket of Premium Genova Tuna for the inconvenience.
When the promotion started, Chicken of the Sea International Senior Marketing Manager Adriana Montano told SeafoodSource that the giveaway would jump-start the company's brand-recognition efforts.
“[By] making our meal kits available online for free, consumers will be able to bring Mediterranean flair to their dinner tables without jet-setting around the world.”
Soon after the promotion was launched, Montano said that Genova was receiving a “great response” to the kits.
“While we don’t have immediate plans to release more meal kits, we love receiving feedback from loyal Genova fans and excited to see these positive responses,” Montano said.
Photo courtesy of Genova Premium Tuna
