Ocinet recalls '...And Kimchi' jars

Kimchi is supposed to be a fermented cabbage side dish. It is not supposed to surprise anyone with a hidden allergen. That is the whole issue here. Ocinet, Inc., based in Downey, California, has recalled all “…And Kimchi” branded sliced kimchi because the jars contain anchovies that were not declared on the label, and the FDA posted the recall on May 5. ### What exactly got recalled? The recall covers all “…And Kimchi” branded sliced kimchi sold under three UPCs: 8541200408, 8541200409, and 8541200411. The public notice describes the product simply as kimchi, and the scope is broad — all jars tied to those UPCs, not a narrow lot code or one production date. Because fish is a major food allergen in the U.S. For most people, anchovy in kimchi is not unusual — many kimchi recipes use seafood for depth and fermentation. But the safety rule is simple: if fish is in the food, fish has to be on the label. For someone with a fish allergy, missing that disclosure can turn an ordinary side dish into a serious or even life-threatening risk. ### How did the company catch it? Turns out this was not triggered by a reported illness or an outbreak investigation. The company said it found the problem during an internal label review. That matters because it suggests the issue was the packaging or ingredient statement, not a contamination event in the usual food-safety sense. Basically, the fish was in the product, but the label failed to say so. ### Were people hurt? As of the recall notice, no allergic reactions had been reported. That is the good news. But undeclared-allergen recalls move fast even when nobody has gotten sick, because the whole point is to stop the first severe reaction before it happens. Who should pay attention? Anyone with a fish allergy should. But restaurants, delis, and prepared-food counters matter here too. Kimchi often gets folded into fried rice, tacos, sandwiches, bowls, and side dishes. Once an ingredient like that gets used in another dish, the original jar is out of sight, and the labeling problem can follow the food downstream. That is why these recalls are not just a retail issue. ### What should consumers do now? Check the brand and the UPC. If you have one of the affected jars and anyone in the household has a fish allergy or sensitivity, do not eat it. The recall notices say consumers should discard the product or return it for a refund. If someone already ate it and is showing allergy symptoms, treat that as urgent medical territory. ### Is this a contamination story? Not really — and that distinction matters. This is an allergen-labeling recall, not a pathogen alert involving Salmonella or Listeria. The product may be perfectly normal for people who can eat fish. The problem is that the label did not give fish-allergic consumers the information they need to make a safe choice. ### Bottom line This is a straightforward but important recall: a hidden allergen in a food where some buyers may not expect it. If you have “…And Kimchi” sliced kimchi with one of the listed UPCs, check it now and get it out of circulation if fish is a concern.