Bumble Bee Canned Smoked Clams Recalled Because of Dangerous PFAS Chemicals

Tests by the FDA had found potentially harmful levels of the chemicals in the product

Trisha Calvo, Consumer Reports Deputy Editor, Health & Food.

By Trisha Calvo
Deputy Editor, Health & Food

July 7, 2022

Bumble Bee is recalling 3.75-ounce cans of its smoked clams after tests by the Food and Drug Administration revealed harmful levels of a class of chemicals known as PFAS. According to the FDA, the levels of a type of PFAS called PFOA are high enough to pose a health risk to adults who consume about 10 ounces of these clams per month and children who eat 2 ounces per month. There have been no reports of illnesses related this product.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals commonly used in food packaging and other consumer products to make them resistant to heat, water, oil, and corrosion. They are now widespread in the environment, in part because they break down very slowly, if ever. The FDA said in its test report that it’s likely that the PFAS in the clams came from the environment. Previous research has found high PFAS levels in some clams from Europe and China.

PFAS chemicals are linked to a growing list of health concerns, such as thyroid disease, higher cholesterol levels, kidney and testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, liver damage, kidney disease, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Bumble Bee said in its recall announcement that only one specific lot of the product is affected: 3.75-ounce cans of Bumble Bee Smoked Clams with the UPC code 8660075234 on the label, which came from a third-party manufacturer in China. The product was shipped to stores throughout the U.S.

However, all 10 samples of canned clams contained detectable levels of many more types of PFAS, and higher levels of PFOA, than the other seafood the FDA tested, such as shrimp, canned tuna, and salmon and tilapia filets. Of the 20 types of PFAS the FDA tested for, each clam sample had, on average, 11 different types of PFAS.

One other canned clam product had levels of PFOA comparable to the Bumble Bee clams, and the FDA says that company has committed to a recall. But the agency has not yet released the name of that company or product.

Bumble Bee Foods says it is “working with the third-party manufacturer in China to further investigate and try to resolve the issues that led to the FDA findings. We’re also focused on communications with our customers and consumers to successfully complete the recall.”

“To find these levels of PFAS directly in food speaks to the elevated threat that the chemicals pose for consumers,” says Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at CR. “It makes it even more imperative that we work to reduce or eliminate PFAS wherever we can, including in water, food packaging, and food itself.”

The FDA says it’s working with the producers of the clam products it tested to better understand how and why the contamination occurred so the companies can take action to lower the risk of exposure. In the meantime, it advises that if you or your children regularly eat canned clams from China (the country of origin should be noted on the label), you may want to reduce your intake until there is more information.

If you purchased the recalled Bumble Bee clams, you can arrange a refund by calling Bumble Bee Consumer Affairs at 888-295-3627 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Trisha Calvo

Trisha Calvo has been the deputy editor for health and food at Consumer Reports since 2013, focusing on nutrition and food safety, frequently editing food safety investigations. Previously, she was an executive editor at Rodale Books and the executive editor at Shape magazine. You’ll often find her in her kitchen creating deliciously healthy dishes.