Spicy Kimchi

Whole Foods Market recalled Spicy Kimchi in a Class I action — the FDA's most serious tier, reserved for products with a reasonable probability of causing serious health consequences or death on May 27, 2016.

The FDA listed the reason as an undeclared allergen: "Undeclared fish, shellfish, and/or tree nuts." Allergen mislabeling is the leading cause of U.S. food recalls, because a missing declaration can trigger a reaction in someone who reads the label and believes the product is safe.

Distribution was limited; the FDA record lists "U.S. distirbution to CA only (Los Angeles). No foreign distribution." Single-area recalls still warrant a kitchen check for anyone who shops within that footprint. The recalling firm is based in Los Angeles, CA. The recall covers 4lbs of product. The FDA has Terminated this recall (first reported Jul 27, 2016), its final lifecycle state, indicating the agency considers the corrective action resolved. The historical record remains useful for tracking a brand's recall pattern over time.