Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

AKT Trading Prepared vegetable products recall: Potential risk of Clostridium botulinum

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential risk of Clostridium botulinum

AKT Trading Fresh produce — recalled fresh produceAKT Trading Fresh produce — recalled fresh produce (photo 2)AKT Trading Fresh produce — recalled fresh produce (photo 3)
3 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Botulism risk

This notice is about a possible botulism risk, which is the one food recall where "I will deal with it later" is the wrong answer.

What the notice says: AKT Trading Inc. of Torrance, California, is recalling certain prepared vegetable products manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

Why it matters: This product may not have been processed in a way that reliably destroys Clostridium botulinum spores. The toxin they can produce in a sealed container is one of the most dangerous substances in food safety, and it is tasteless and odourless.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Botulism is a medical emergency. The CDC lists double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the face and moves down the body. In an infant, watch for poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids and unusual floppiness. Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if any of these appear after eating a recalled product — treatment works best when it is given early.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
March 3, 2025
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
AKT Trading
Product type
Fresh produce
Distribution
California
UPC codes
4582207535128, 4582207535135, 4582207535142, 4582207535159, 4983673526021, 4983673527325
Reports of harm
Brand Name Japanese Pickles; Product Name SHIBA ZUKE PREPARED MIX VEGETABLES; Container 1lb plastic bag; JAN CODE (UPC) 4582207535128; Expiration Date 8/27/2025 (Printed on the back of the product); *No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Prepared vegetable products.

What the company announced

AKT Trading Inc. of Torrance, California, is recalling certain prepared vegetable products manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. The products lack the necessary "Keep Refrigerated" statement, which could lead to hazardous bacterial growth if stored at room temperature. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism , a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The Products were distributed at Tokyo Central / Marukai stores located in California .

  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central Cupertino · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 19750 Stevens Creek Blvd.,Cupertino, CA 95014
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Marukai Market Little Tokyo · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 123 S Onizuka St. #105, Los Angeles,CA 90012
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central & Main Pacific · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 1620 W Redondo Beach Blvd.,Gardena, CA 90247
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central San Diego · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 8151 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central Torrance · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 3832 W Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Marukai Market West LA · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 12121 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central Costa Mesa · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 2975 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa,CA 92626
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central West Covina · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 1420 S Azusa Ave., West Covina, CA 91791
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central Yorba Linda · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 18171 Imperial Hwy., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
  • Tokyo Central Gardena: Tokyo Central PCH Torrance · 1740 Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248: 3665 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505

The affected product is packaged in a plastic bag and can be identified by the following information:

  • Brand Name: Japanese Pickles · Product Name: SHIBA ZUKE PREPARED MIX VEGETABLES · Container: 1lb plastic bag · JAN CODE (UPC): 4582207535128 · Expiration Date: 8/27/2025 (Printed on the back of the product) · *No illnesses have been reported to date
  • Brand Name: Japanese Pickles · Product Name: AOKAPPA ZUKE PREPARED MIX VEGETABLES · Container: 1lb plastic bag · JAN CODE (UPC): 4582207535135 · Expiration Date: 5/14/2025 (Printed on the back of the product) · *No illnesses have been reported to date
  • Brand Name: Japanese Pickles · Product Name: FUKUSHIN ZUKE PREPARED MIX VEGETABLES · Container: 1lb plastic bag · JAN CODE (UPC): 4582207535142 · Expiration Date: 7/9/2025, 5/31/2025 (Printed on the back of the product) · *No illnesses have been reported to date
  • Brand Name: Japanese Pickles · Product Name: SOFT TSUBOZUKE PREPARED MIX VEGETABLES · Container: 1lb plastic bag · JAN CODE (UPC): 4582207535159 · Expiration Date: 7/29/2025 (Printed on the back of the product) · *No illnesses have been reported to date
  • Brand Name: Japanese Pickles · Product Name: RAKKYO ZUKE PREPARED VEGETABLES · Container: 1lb plastic bag · JAN CODE (UPC): 4983673526021 · Expiration Date: 8/1/2025, 7/1/2025 (Printed on the back of the product) · *No illnesses have been reported to date
  • Brand Name: CHOSHIYA · Product Name: ABURA-ITAME ZHASAI PREPARED SICHUAN VEGETABLE · Container: 8.8oz. plastic bag · JAN CODE (UPC): 4983673527325 · Expiration Date: 4/3/2025, 2/25/2025 (Printed on the edge of the surface) · *No illnesses have been reported to date

This issue was discovered on 2/18/2025 at the Tokyo Central / Marukai retail store. The missing "Keep Refrigerated" label likely contributed to this issue. The product was immediately removed from sale at this location. Consumers who have purchased the affected product with the specified expiration date are urged not to consume it. Consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. AKT Trading Inc. is committed to the safety and quality of its products and is taking this action out of an abundance of caution. We are cooperating fully with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this matter.

Consumers with questions may contact AKT Trading Inc. at 310-715-2174 (M-F 9:30am-6:00pm in PST) or [email protected] .

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 17 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 4582207535128
  • 4582207535135
  • 4582207535142
  • 4582207535159
  • 4983673526021
  • 4983673527325

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 8/27/2025
  • 5/14/2025
  • 7/9/2025
  • 5/31/2025
  • 7/29/2025
  • 8/1/2025
  • 7/1/2025
  • 4/3/2025
  • 2/25/2025

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 1 lb
  • 8.8 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Botulism

AKT Trading — This notice is about a possible botulism risk, which is the one food recall where "I will deal with it later" is the wrong answer.

  1. Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.
  2. Throw it away so nobody else can retrieve it, or follow the disposal wording in the official notice if it specifies a method.
  3. Wash anything the contents spilled on with a bleach solution and wear gloves while you do it.
  4. If anyone has eaten it and has blurred vision, trouble swallowing or weakness, call 911 — this does not wait for an appointment.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: AKT Trading, Inc. — Consumers: AKT Trading Inc., 310-715-2174, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was AKT Trading fresh produce recalled?

Potential risk of Clostridium botulinum AKT Trading Inc. of Torrance, California, is recalling certain prepared vegetable products manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 4582207535128, 4582207535135, 4582207535142; best-by date 8/27/2025 or 5/14/2025. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California.

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