Agency classClass IIOur severity:High FDA (Food)·F-0853-2021·Announced 2021-08-18

5000 Years Foods Kimchi Recalled for Listeria Contamination Risk

5000 Years Foods is recalling NO MSG Sliced Cabbage Kimchi sold in multiple container sizes due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was distributed in Illinois and may have reached customers 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: The recall involves Listeria monocytogenes, a high-risk pathogen capable of causing serious illness. Although no illnesses have been reported in the source text, the hazard itself—Listeria in a ready-to-eat food—meets the criteria for a High severity rating per the rubric. The FDA's Class II classification supports this level.

Plain-English summary

5000 Years Foods, Inc. is recalling NO MSG SLICED CABBAGE KIMCHI sold in 5-gallon plastic tubs and 128 oz, 64 oz, 32 oz, and 16 oz glass jars due to the potential for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled product was distributed in Illinois, where it was further distributed through distributors to retail stores, potentially reaching customers nationwide. Approximately 54,000 pounds of product are affected. The recalled items have code dates ranging from 09052021 through 09252021.

Consumers who have purchased this product should not consume it. Those who believe they may have consumed the recalled kimchi and are experiencing symptoms of Listeria infection (such as fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms) should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider of the potential exposure.

The recalled product

Product: 5000 Years Foods NO MSG SLICED CABBAGE KIMCHI in 5GAL plastic tubs, and 128 oz, 64 oz, 32 oz, & 16 oz glass jars
Manufacturer: 5000 Years Foods, Inc.
Category: Food — Fermented / Ready-to-Eat
Hazard: listeria
pathogenic-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