- AKT Trading Inc. is recalling lots of its prepared vegetables in California over botulism concerns.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert, advising customers to discard any products included in the recall.
- Learn which lots are affected, below.
Broccoli, eggs, carrots—food recalls abound. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a recall alert for AKT Trading, Inc.’s prepared vegetable items, manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to the risk of botulism.
The FDA made the announcement earlier this month, noting that the products included in the recall were sold in California and had an elevated risk of Clostridium botulinum growth. The agency believes that these foods are more likely to become a breeding ground for this sometimes fatal bacteria, which is better known as botulism, due to an oversight on the packaging.
According to the statement from the FDA, the prepackaged vegetables are missing important “Keep Refrigerated” guidance, which instructs customers to avoid storing the products at room temperature. The discovery was made by one of the retailers carrying the products on Feb. 18, 2025.
The recall involves Japanese Pickles featuring the UPC codes 4582207535128, 4582207535135, 4582207535142, 4582207535159, 4983673526021 sold under the following names:
- Shiba Zuke Prepared Mix Vegetables
- Aokappa Zuke Prepared Mix Vegetables
- Fukushin Zuke Prepared Mix Vegetables
- Soft Tsubozuke Prepared Mix Vegetables
- Rakkyo Zuke Prepared Vegetables
The recall also includes Choshiya brand vegetables which were sold under the product name Abura-itame Zhasai Prepared Sichuan Vegetable, and feature the UPC code 4983673527325.
The Japanese Pickles included in the recall include expiration dates 5/14/2025, 5/31/2025, 7/1/2025, 7/9/2025, 7/29/25, 8/1/2025, 8/27/2025. The Choshiya products feature expiration dates of 2/25/2025 and 4/3/2025.
Customers were able to purchase these products from Tokyo Central and Marukai stores across California, including:
- Gardena
- Cupertino
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Torrance
- Costa Mesa
- West Covina
- Yorba Linda
AKT Trading Inc. is advising customers to discontinue all use of these products and to return them to the point of purchase for a refund.
Botulism is a type of food poisoning, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Typically, the bacteria is considered harmless to humans. But, there are conditions that may cause the bacteria to produce toxins that attack the central nervous system, and that includes the temperatures at which these prepared vegetables would be stored without the required “Keep Refrigerated” statement.
According to the CDC, some symptoms of botulism include trouble breathing, complete and partial paralysis, and death.
Anyone with questions about this recall should contact AKT Trading Inc. directly, either by email at info@aktusa.com or by phone at 310-715-2174.
Lauren Wellbank is a freelance writer based in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Martha Stewart Living, and more. She has three small children, a husband, and an over eager dog at home. When she's not writing she likes to work in her garden with her family.
