Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

World Varity Produce Melissa’s Hot Kimchi recall: Undeclared Fish

Recall published 2+ years ago

Undeclared Fish

World Varity Produce Other food products — recalled other food productsWorld Varity Produce Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)World Varity Produce Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 3)World Varity Produce Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared fish or shellfish

The product contains fish or shellfish that the packaging never declared. If nobody in your home avoids fish or shellfish, there is no health reason to throw it away — though the refund still stands.

What the notice says: Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock.

Why it matters: The label does not declare fish or shellfish, 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
January 5, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
World Varity Produce
Product type
Other food products
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Melissa’s Hot Kimchi

What the company announced

‘A previous version of this press release was issued on 12/22/2023. This press release was updated to include the number of cases included in the recall and identify the Best By Date being recalled.’.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 22, 2023 - World Variety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Melissa's Kimchi Hot 14 oz, because of mislabeling of allergen ingredient "Fish" was not listed in the ingredient panel within the allergen information panel. Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The affected Kimchi Hot 14 oz were isolated to 124 cases from Best By Date 03-15-2024 product of USA.

This recall extends only to Sun International stores in Florida,, Brookshire Brothers stores in Texas, OK Produce - Grocery Outlet in California. The affected Melissa's Kimchi Hot 14oz were sold from bulk displays between the dates of December 15, 2023 through December 21, 2023.

The recall was as the result of an internal finding of an product artwork review by Melissa's Design/Artwork department which revealed that the printed artwork was mislabeled and did not have an allergen listing of "Fish". World Variety Produce, Inc. has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA, World Variety Produce, Inc. continues their investigation as to what caused the issue.

Consumers who have purchased the affected Kimchi Hot 14 oz listed above are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact World Variety Produce, Inc. at 1-800-588-0151 Monday through Friday between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.

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

Best-by / use-by date

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

  • 03-15-2024

Package size

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

  • 14 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 Fish

World Varity Produce — The product contains fish or shellfish that the packaging never declared. If nobody in your home avoids fish or shellfish, there is no health reason to throw it away — though the refund still stands.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids fish or shellfish, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. Keep the pack if you want a refund, or photograph the label and the lot code and then bin it. If nobody in the house avoids fish or shellfish, you may simply eat it — the recall is about disclosure, not spoilage.
  3. Make sure the household epinephrine auto-injector is where it should be and in date, if someone here carries one.
  4. If a reaction has already happened, report it to the FDA through its consumer complaint coordinator so the case is attached to this recall.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the affected Kimchi Hot 14 oz listed above are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: World Varity Produce, Inc. — Consumers: 1-800-588-0151 — Media: Robert Schueller, 1-888-588-0151 ext.259

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 World Varity Produce other food products recalled?

Undeclared Fish Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: best-by date 03-15-2024. 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 fish or shellfish, 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 affected Kimchi Hot 14 oz listed above are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

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