Fu Zhou Recalls Fish Balls Over Undeclared Wheat and Sesame Allergens

Commerce, CA (January 28, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Koikoi Trading Inc. is recalling select lots of its Fu Zhou Fish Ball products after discovering the presence of undeclared wheat and sesame. The FDA said the company distributed the products without proper allergen labeling, creating a serious health risk for consumers with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients.

Regulators said the recall affects multiple package sizes sold through foodservice and e-commerce channels across several U.S. states. The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported so far and warned that people with wheat or sesame allergies could face potentially life-threatening reactions if they consume the product.

Fu Zhou recall: quick summary

Koikoi Trading Inc. has recalled specific lots of Fu Zhou Fish Balls due to undeclared wheat and sesame allergens. The FDA announced the recall on January 28, 2026, following the company’s internal discovery of labeling errors. Restaurant suppliers, distributors, and online fulfillment services distributed the affected products nationwide. Health officials urge consumers with wheat or sesame allergies not to eat the product and to contact the company for return or replacement instructions.

What happened?

The FDA said Koikoi Trading Inc. initiated the recall after it discovered that the packaging failed to declare wheat and sesame in fish ball products that may contain those allergens. The company told regulators it became aware of the issue during an internal review of ingredient labeling and distribution records.

The company announced the recall on January 28, 2026, in coordination with the FDA. It shipped the products to foodservice customers, distributors, and e-commerce platforms in states including California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and/or sesame run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states
Fu Zhou (YABA)	Fish Balls	200g	81009389866	08/11/2027	Undeclared wheat, sesame	CA, WA, OR, NY, FL, TX, NJ, IL, MA, GA, AZ, NV, CO
Fu Zhou (YABA)	Fish Balls	400g	81009389131	09/01/2027	Undeclared wheat, sesame	Same distribution
Fu Zhou (YABA)	Fish Balls	5 lb	81009389132	11/12/2027	Undeclared wheat, sesame	Same distribution

What caused the issue?

The FDA said a labeling error triggered the recall when the company packaged products containing wheat and sesame without proper allergen declarations. The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported to date.

Wheat and sesame can cause symptoms ranging from hives and swelling to anaphylaxis because they are recognized major allergens. Individuals with known allergies are most at risk and should monitor for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, or severe rash after exposure.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the product if you have a wheat or sesame allergy.
• Check the label for the product name, UPC, and best-by date.
• Return the product to the place of purchase or dispose of it safely.
• Contact Koikoi Trading Inc. at 323-588-9888 or [email protected] for refunds or replacement instructions.

Behind the brand

Koikoi Trading Inc., based in Commerce, California, distributes frozen seafood and specialty food products to foodservice and retail customers across the U.S. The company’s recall notice states that it has ceased distribution of the affected products and is working closely with the FDA to correct labeling procedures.

Source86 reached out to Koikoi Trading Inc. for comment on how the labeling issue occurred, but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

Similar allergen-related recalls have affected a range of frozen and prepared foods in recent months. These include Carrot Top Kitchens’ recall of hummus varieties over undeclared sesame, Brazilian Taste’s recall of frozen chicken and beef croquette products due to undeclared sesame, and Gina Marie Bakery’s recall of cookies containing undeclared almonds, sesame, and food dyes. Food safety experts say these incidents highlight ongoing challenges with cross-contact and packaging controls, particularly in facilities that handle multiple allergenic ingredients.

“Allergen cross-contact can happen when shared food-processing equipment transfers allergenic proteins into products that are not intended to contain them, making accurate labeling and strict controls essential to protect consumers with food allergies.”
— Stefano Luccioli, M.D., Medical Officer and Allergy Specialist, FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, added that this recall underscores a broader industry responsibility:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Ensuring safe eats

This recall reflects a broader pattern of allergen-related labeling issues across the frozen and prepared food sector. As regulators increase oversight, they push companies to strengthen ingredient verification and packaging controls. Officials remind consumers to read labels carefully and heed recall alerts.

At Source86, we support brands with ingredient sourcing, food safety oversight, and private label production built on transparency and accountability, helping companies respond quickly when safety concerns arise. Contact us.