Bumble Bee Foods and Tri-Union Seafoods have taken the initiative in recalling canned chunk light tuna because of "process deviations" that could pose serious health threats to consumers.

The recalled sets were produced in February and March 2016 and distributed throughout the country.

Bumble Bee, Tri-Union Leads the Recall

"Bumble Bee recalled specific codes of canned Chunk Light Tuna produced in Chicken of the Sea's Georgia production facility, a third-party supplier for Bumble Bee," said Stave Mavity, the company's senior vice president.

In total, Bumble Bee is including 31,579 cases of this specific kind of tuna in the widespread recall with UPC codes of 8660000020, 8660000021 and 8660000736. Tri-Union also confirmed the recall of 2,745 cases of Chicken of the Sea brand with the codes 0 4800000195 5 and 0 4800000245 7.

Consumers who want to reach out to the companies may contact Bumble Bee at 888-820-1947 and Tri-Union Seafoods at 866-600-2681.

What's Behind the Sudden Recall

Although there have been no illnesses reported regarding the tuna released, both Bumble Bee Foods and Tri-Union Seafoods are opting to choose the safer route of voluntarily recalling the canned seafood from the shelves.

According to Tri-Union, their decision to recall the products was due to the possibility of the canned tuna being undercooked in relation to an equipment malfunction during its production in the Georgia facility.

"These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed," the two companies explained in separate statements.

Despite their acts of caution, Bumble Bee was quick to assure consumers.

"The recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution due to the possible under-processing of the affected products," Bumble Bee said, adding that they are working to get the products recalled as soon as possible.

Bumble Bee Planned Acquisition

The past year, Bumble Bee Foods was poised to be acquired by fellow seafood brand Thai Union Group Public Co. Ltd. However, last December the latter announced that the two companies mutually agreed to terminate the deal due to antitrust objections by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Thiraphong Chansiri, president and CEO of Thai Union explained that the approval is now unlikely to push through.

Chansiri said that the company has poured their efforts in the acquisition adding, "However, we also recognize that the clearance is now unlikely due to a higher level of complexity in the process. We have decided to focus our energy on our existing business. Thai Union remains committed to the North American seafood market."