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By Matthew Robinson
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A recall of a tuna poke product due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes has been issued the highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Western United Fish Company, doing business as Annasea Foods Group, announced a voluntary recall of its Kirkland Signature brand Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke on September 20. The product was sold at Costco stores in 37 states, according to the FDA.
The FDA later issued a Class I risk classification for the recall on October 6.
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Newsweek reached out to Western United Fish Company for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
A Class I risk classification represents "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the FDA.
The FDA warns that Listeria can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," adding, "although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."
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What To Know
The product affected by the recall is the following:
- Kirkland Signature brand Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke - 3,314.7 lbs - Costco item number: 17193 - sell-by date: 9/22/2025
The FDA said the product was sold at Costco stores on 9/18/2025 in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The recall was initiated after the company was notified by a supplier that the green onions used in its poke product on September 17, 2025, had tested positive for Listeria.
As of September 20, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the affected product.
What People Are Saying
Western United Fish Company Inc. said in the recall notice: "We are continuing to work with our green onion supplier to determine the root cause."
Mary O'Riordan, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, previously told Newsweek: "Listeria has an unusual capacity to grow at refrigerated temperatures. Although the bacterium can contaminate many types of food, cheeses or deli meats that are kept in cold storage for long periods in stores or at home are a place where listeria can keep growing.
"Early symptoms of listeria infection look similar to other common foodborne infections, including fever, diarrhea and vomiting, so it's often not diagnosed right away. Unfortunately, sometimes listeria can spread into the brain and cause more serious illness, like meningitis. In those cases, if people experience headache, stiff neck or confusion, they should seek urgent medical attention."
Haley F. Oliver, a professor of food science at Purdue University, previously told Newsweek: "Listeria monocytogenes is a common microorganism that can be found in the natural environment, for example, in soil. There are many factors that determine if someone gets listeriosis—a listeria infection. In most instances, an immunocompromised person—so young, old, pregnant or otherwise immunocompromised—must eat contaminated food.
"The number of bacteria resulting in infection and the amount of time before illness varies considerably. Symptoms vary among people but can include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance."
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA.
Consumers who purchased the affected product should not eat it and dispose of it immediately, or return it to Costco for a full refund.
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