Agency classClass IIOur severity:High FDA (Food)·F-0849-2021·Announced 2021-08-18

5000 Years Foods Kimchi Recalled for Listeria Contamination Risk

5000 Years Foods is recalling whole cabbage kimchi sold in plastic tubs and glass jars due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in Illinois and potentially nationwide through retail stores.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class II

Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: This is an FDA Class II recall involving Listeria monocytogenes, a high-risk pathogen. The source text states only "potential to be contaminated" with no reported illnesses or confirmed contamination, which prevents a higher score, but the presence of a high-risk pathogen on a ready-to-eat food product meets the "High" threshold.

Plain-English summary

5000 Years Foods, Inc. is recalling whole cabbage kimchi products sold in 5-gallon plastic tubs, 128-ounce glass jars, and 64-ounce glass jars due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled products have code dates from 09052021 through 09252021 and represent approximately 54,000 lbs total. The product was distributed in Illinois and subsequently reached customers nationwide through distributors and retail stores.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable populations including pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Consumers who have purchased this product should not consume it.

Consumers with questions about this recall may contact 5000 Years Foods, Inc. for additional information. Anyone who believes they have been affected by consumption of this product should consult a healthcare provider.

The recalled product

Product: 5000 Years Foods WHOLE CABBAGE KIMCHI in 5GAL plastic tubs, and 128 oz and 64 oz glass jars
Manufacturer: 5000 Years Foods, Inc.
Category: Food — Prepared / Fermented Foods
Hazard: listeria
bacterial-contamination

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (1)

09052021 through 09252021

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 1 state specifically:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 10 recalled by 5000 Years Foods, Inc. under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 10 products in this recall →

Same manufacturer · 5000 Years Foods, Inc.

See all →

High
5000 Years Foods Sliced Cabbage Kimchi Recalled for Listeria Risk
FDA (Food) · 2021-08-18
High
5000 Years Foods Whole Cabbage Kimchi Listeria Contamination Recall
FDA (Food) · 2021-08-18
High
5000 Years Foods Kimchi Recalled for Listeria Contamination Risk
FDA (Food) · 2021-08-18
High
5000 Years Foods Julrado Whole Cabbage Kimchi Recall for Listeria
FDA (Food) · 2021-08-18
High
5000 Years Foods White Whole Kimchi Recall Due to Listeria Risk
FDA (Food) · 2021-08-18

Same hazard · listeria