Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Shirakiku Korean Seasoned Seaweed recall: Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Sesame

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Sesame

Shirakiku Other food products — recalled other food products
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared sesame

An undeclared allergen — sesame — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

What the notice says: People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume those products.

Why it matters: The label does not declare sesame, so anyone who reads labels to avoid it has no way of knowing it is in there. For people without that allergy the product is safe to eat.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

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
October 10, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Shirakiku
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington
UPC codes
074410516031, 074410495534
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.

Products covered by this recall

Korean Seasoned Seaweed

What the company announced

Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling 3.52 oz packages of Shirakiku brand Korean Seasoned Seaweed. The product contains the undeclared allergen of sesame on an outer package. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume those products.

The product was distributed in CA, AZ, TX, NM, WA, NY, NV through retail stores and resturants.

The product is packaged in a 3.52 oz, illustrated plastic bag, containing 5 inner packages. Each inner packages has the correct allergen information. The correct UPC for the product is 074410516031, located on the back right side of the outer package. However, the outer package has an incorrect allergen declaration due to the unintentional use of incorrect packing material, which also displays the wrong UPC: 074410495534.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.

The recall was initiated after discovering that the product contained an undeclared allergen (sesame). Further investigation revealed that the issue was caused by the unintentional use of incorrect packaging material for the product.

The last distribution of the product in the marketplace was on October 8, 2024.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at [email protected] .

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 3 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.

  • 074410516031
  • 074410495534

Package size

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

  • 3.52 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 Sesame

Shirakiku — An undeclared allergen — sesame — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids sesame, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. Make sure the household epinephrine auto-injector is where it should be and in date, if someone here carries one.
  3. If a reaction has already happened, report it to the FDA through its consumer complaint coordinator so the case is attached to this recall.
  4. Tell anyone else who eats from your kitchen, including childminders, schools and anyone catering an event you contributed to.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. — Consumers: Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., [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 Shirakiku other food products recalled?

Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Sesame People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume those products.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 074410516031, 074410495534. 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?

If anyone in your household avoids sesame, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington.

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