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A grocery store based in California has been forced to recall some of its products over concerns that fish was not listed as an ingredient in the panel warning of potential allergens.
Melissa's recalled its Kimchi Hot 14 oz "because of [a] mislabeling of [an] allergen ingredient," according to an update posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.
The affected products were "isolated" to a total of 1,120 cases from stores in Florida, California and Texas.
The FDA recall warned: "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."
Managing a fish allergy involves a "strict avoidance of the fish to which you are allergic" and doctors "typically advise people who are allergic to one type of finned fish to avoid all types," according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
By law, fish is one allergen that requires food manufacturers to identify the ingredient with the specific type of fish used on a clear label.
No illnesses caused by consuming the product have been reported. Kimchi, a spicy Korean cabbage dish, is known for containing a fish sauce.
Newsweek has approached Melissa's, also known as 'World Variety Produce Inc,' via email for comment.
The recall was issued after the company's design department spotted "the printed artwork was mislabeled and did not have an allergen listing" fish. An investigation by the FDA and World Variety Produce into the incident continues.
Recalled products were sold in "bulk displays" between December 15 and December 21. The following stores sold the kimchi:
- Sun International stores - Florida
- OK Produce grocery outlet - California
- Brookshire Brothers - Texas
The FDA release, from Boxing Day, said: "The affected Kimchi Hot 14 oz were isolated to 420 cases from Lot # 48528201, 420 cases from Lot # 48858701, 150 cases from 49003901 & 130 cases from 49003901-W0 product of USA."
People who purchased the products can take them back to the store they bought them from to receive a full refund.
Many mislabeled products have been recalled this year including earlier in December when Illinois-based Prairie Farms Dairy recalled half-gallon bottles of eggnog because it did not mention the presence of egg.
A Michigan delicatessen recalled roughly 1,800 sandwiches in late November when it did not declare the presence of sesame. A total of 2,048 trays of chocolate brownies were also recalled the same month from 14 states for not declaring that they contained peanuts.
About the writer
Benjamin Lynch is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is U.S. politics and national affairs and he ... Read more