Kimchi Recalls in 2026 — What Happened, and How to Check If Your Jar Is Affected
Two kimchi products have been recalled in the US so far in 2026, both for undeclared fish allergens. Here’s exactly which products, which states, and how to check whether the jar in your fridge is one of them — plus a reassurance check for the mainstream brands most people actually buy.
Is Store-Bought Kimchi Being Recalled Right Now?
As of August 2026, two kimchi products have been recalled in the US this year — both for undeclared fish allergens, not spoilage or contamination. “…And Kimchi” brand sliced kimchi (a small-batch LA product sold at Zion Market) was recalled in May, and Aldi’s private-label Fusia Asian Inspirations Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap was recalled in July. If you buy one of the mainstream brands covered in our full kimchi brand ranking — Jongga, Bibigo, Cosmos, Trader Joe’s, and the rest — neither recall affects you. Full details on both recalls, and how to check any product against future recalls, are below.
The Two Confirmed Kimchi Recalls in 2026
Both recalls this year were issued for the same underlying reason — an allergen that wasn’t declared on the label — not for spoilage, mold, or bacterial contamination. Here’s what happened, in order.
Ocinet, Inc. of Downey, California recalled its “…And Kimchi” branded sliced kimchi after discovering the product contained undeclared anchovies — a fish allergen that wasn’t listed on the ingredient label. Anyone with a fish allergy who ate the product before the recall was at risk of an allergic reaction, though no reactions were reported to the company.
UPC codes: 8541200408, 8541200409, 8541200411
FDA announcement: May 5, 2026
Gellert Global Group of Elizabeth, New Jersey recalled Aldi’s private-label Fusia Asian Inspirations Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap — a ready-to-eat rice roll containing kimchi, not a jar of plain kimchi — after a customer discovered the product contained undeclared tuna. Gellert says the issue traced back to a temporary breakdown in production and packaging procedures, which has since been corrected. Aldi pulled the product from shelves as soon as the issue was identified.
Package size: 8.1 oz sealed, microwave-safe wrapper
Best-if-used-by date: October 8, 2027
FDA announcement: July 2, 2026
2026 Kimchi Recalls at a Glance
| Product | Company | Date | Reason | Where Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “…And Kimchi” Sliced Kimchi | Ocinet, Inc. | May 2026 | Undeclared fish (anchovies) | Zion Market — CA, GA, TX |
| Fusia Asian Inspirations Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap | Gellert Global Group (Aldi private label) | July 2026 | Undeclared fish (tuna) | Aldi — 19 states + DC |
This table only covers the two recalls confirmed as of publication (August 2026). If another kimchi product is recalled, we’ll add it here and update the date at the top of this page.
Is Your Jar Affected? How to Check
Undeclared-allergen recalls can’t be caught by taste, smell, or appearance — the product itself isn’t spoiled, only the label is incomplete. The only reliable way to check is against the official recall details.
Check the Brand and Product Name
Compare the exact product name on your jar or package against the recall table above. A similar-sounding brand isn’t the same as an exact match — check carefully.
Check the UPC and Best-By Date
Recalls are usually limited to specific UPC codes and date ranges, not an entire product line forever. Find the UPC (usually near the barcode) and the best-by or use-by date, and compare both against the recall notice.
Check Where You Bought It
Both 2026 recalls were limited to specific retailers and regions — Zion Market in three states for one, Aldi in 19 states plus DC for the other. If you bought your kimchi somewhere else entirely, that’s another sign it’s likely unaffected, though it’s still worth checking the product details directly.
If It Matches, Stop Eating It
If your product matches an active recall, stop eating it immediately, even if you don’t have a known fish allergy — better safe than sorry, and it’s simple to discard or return. Follow the specific instructions in the official recall notice for a refund.
Are Jongga, Bibigo, Cosmos, or Other Major Brands Affected?
No. If you’re wondering whether your usual jar is safe, here’s the direct answer: neither 2026 recall involves any of the mainstream, nationally distributed kimchi brands most people actually buy.
The two recalled products were a small-batch regional brand sold through one grocery chain in three states, and a private-label ready-to-eat kimbap item — not a jarred kimchi brand sold nationally. That’s not a coincidence: smaller-batch and private-label products often have less redundancy in their labeling review process than large manufacturers with dedicated food-safety and compliance teams, which is one reason recalls skew toward newer or smaller producers. It’s not a reason to avoid smaller brands altogether, just a reason to always check the label yourself rather than assuming.
How to Stay Informed About Future Recalls
This page tracks kimchi-specific recalls, but recalls can happen for any packaged food at any time. Here’s how to check for yourself, beyond just this page.
Search the FDA’s Recall Database
The FDA maintains a searchable, regularly updated list of every official food recall at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts. It’s the single most authoritative source, and it’s free to search.
Sign Up for FDA Recall Alerts
The FDA offers free email alerts for new recalls, so you don’t have to keep checking manually.
Check the Retailer Directly for Store-Brand Products
For private-label products like Aldi’s Fusia line, the retailer’s own recall page is often the fastest way to confirm details — Aldi, for example, publishes recalls at corporate.aldi.us/newsroom/product-recalls.
Kimchi Recalls 2026 — FAQ
Two kimchi products have been recalled in the US in 2026, both for undeclared fish allergens. In May 2026, Ocinet, Inc. recalled its “…And Kimchi” branded sliced kimchi for undeclared anchovies. In July 2026, Aldi’s Fusia Asian Inspirations Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap was recalled by Gellert Global Group for undeclared tuna. Both recalls were limited to specific products and regions — neither affects the 17 mainstream brands covered in our full kimchi brand ranking.
“…And Kimchi” (made by Ocinet, Inc. of Downey, CA, sold at Zion Market locations in Southern California, Georgia, and Texas) and Aldi’s private-label Fusia Asian Inspirations Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap (recalled by Gellert Global Group, distributed to Aldi stores in 19 states plus Washington DC). Both recalls were for undeclared fish allergens, not spoilage or contamination.
No. Neither of the two confirmed 2026 US kimchi recalls involved Jongga, Bibigo, Cosmos, or any of the other major brands covered in our full brand ranking. The recalled products were a small-batch LA brand (“…And Kimchi”) and an Aldi private-label kimbap item, not a jarred kimchi brand sold nationally.
Stop eating the product immediately, even if it looks and smells normal — undeclared-allergen recalls are a labeling problem, not a spoilage problem, so you can’t tell by taste or smell. Check the UPC and best-by date against the recall notice, then either discard the product or return it to the store where you bought it for a refund, following the specific instructions in the official recall notice.
The FDA maintains a searchable database of all official food recalls at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts, updated as new recalls are announced. You can also sign up for FDA recall email alerts, or check a specific retailer’s own recall page (for example, Aldi publishes recalls at corporate.aldi.us/newsroom/product-recalls) if you’re checking a store-brand product.
No. Both the Ocinet “…And Kimchi” recall and the Aldi Fusia Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap recall were issued as precautionary allergen-labeling corrections, and no illnesses were reported in connection with either one as of the recall announcements.
Ji-Young Park compiled this recall tracker from official FDA notices and verified food-safety reporting, cross-checked against the 17 brands covered in KimchiGuide’s main brand ranking.
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Dr. Sarah Mitchell reviewed the allergen and food-safety guidance in this article for accuracy, including the distinction between labeling recalls and spoilage-related safety issues.
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