Agency classClass IIIOur severity:Moderate FDA (Food)·F-1716-2012·Announced 2012-07-11

Mitsui Foods Recalls Korean Smoked Oysters Due to Import Block

Mitsui Foods Inc. is recalling specific lots of Empress and Private Selection smoked oysters because Korean shellfish imports were blocked by the FDA due to potential water pollution.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class III

Class III is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

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 2/5 (Moderate).

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The agency classified this as a Class III recall, which is defined as unlikely to cause adverse health consequences. The hazard is theoretical (potential pollution) with no reported illnesses, fitting the criteria for a moderate severity score.

Plain-English summary

Mitsui Foods Inc. is recalling specific lots of Empress Smoked Oysters and Premium Quality Private Selection Smoked Oysters in Cottonseed Oil. The products, which are farm-raised and produced in Korea, were distributed nationwide. The recall involves specific lot numbers listed in the official notice, including 405046-006 and 406639-005.

The recall was initiated because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration blocked Korean shellfish imports as of May 1 due to potential pollution in Korean waters. Consequently, all Korean certified shippers of molluscan shellfish were removed from the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List. This action necessitated the removal of these specific products from the market.

Food distributors, retailers, and food service operators are instructed to remove all fresh, frozen, and processed products from sale or service. Consumers who have purchased these specific lots of smoked oysters should check their lot numbers against the official list and dispose of the products or return them to the point of purchase.

The recalled product

Product: Smoked Oysters: 1) Empress Smoked Oysters In Cottonseed Oil, NET WT 3.75 OZ. Distributed By Mitsui Foods Inc. Norwood NJ 07648 Product of Korea, UPC7360000713. 2) Premium Quality Private Selection Smoked Oysters In Cottonseed Oil, NET WT 3.75 OZ. Distributed By Mitsui Foods…
Manufacturer: Mitsui Foods Inc
Category: Food — Shellfish
Hazard: contamination
import-block

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 (20)

Lot Numbers: 405046-006
405046-007
406639-005
406670-004
406716-001
406781-004
407995-001
407995-003
408080-001
408080-002
406443-001
406639-002
406639-004
406777-001
406780-001
406780-003
406781-003
406639-001
406639-003
406639-006

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 2 recalled by Mitsui 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 2 products in this recall →

Same manufacturer · Mitsui Foods Inc

See all →

Moderate
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FDA (Food) · 2017-01-11
Moderate
FDA Recalls Korean Whole Oysters Due to Potential Water Pollution
FDA (Food) · 2012-07-11

Same hazard · contamination