- Date Issued: July 8, 2025
- Announced by: U.S. FDA on July 9, 2025
- Company: Natureen International Inc.
- Brand/Product: Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice
- Issue: Potential contamination with Salmonella
- Product Details: 2.5 oz bag, lot # XJ17, EXP: 20260417
- Where Sold: Retail stores across 11 Midwestern states
- Next Steps: Return the product for a full refund, check the packaging details
Wanna know more about what happened? Keep on reading.
What Happened?
On July 8, 2025, Natureen International Inc., based in Walnut, CA, issued a product recall for Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice (2.5 oz) after the California Department of Public Health discovered the potential presence of Salmonella in routine testing. The product, distributed to retail stores in 11 states, may pose serious health risks if consumed.
Although no illnesses have been reported, the company is exercising caution by suspending production and working closely with the FDA to trace the root of the issue.
Product Recall Table
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best By | Issue |
Wei-Chuan | Dried Black Fungus Slice | 2.5 oz | N/A | EXP: 20260417 | Salmonella contamination |
What Caused the Issue?
The product has been recalled due to the potential presence of Salmonella, a bacterium that can lead to serious gastrointestinal illness and, in some cases, life-threatening infections. Contamination could have occurred during harvesting, drying, or packaging—particularly if equipment or surfaces weren’t properly sanitized.
Understanding the Risk
Salmonella is a common cause of foodborne illness, particularly in dry foods where bacteria can survive for long periods. While healthy adults may recover without treatment, high-risk groups can face more severe complications, including:
- Young children
- Elderly individuals
- Pregnant women
- Immunocompromised people
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
- Fever
- Diarrhea (which may be bloody)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Dehydration (in severe cases)
- Infection of the bloodstream (rare but serious)
- Long-term complications like reactive arthritis
10 Common Questions You Might Have
1. What is Salmonella, and how does it contaminate food?
Salmonella is a bacterium typically spread through contact with fecal matter. It can contaminate food during any stage of growing, harvesting, processing, or packaging.
2. Is this recall serious, even if no one is sick yet?
Yes. Salmonella poses significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. Early recalls help prevent potential outbreaks.
3. What symptoms should I look out for?
Watch for fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea within 6–72 hours of eating contaminated food.
4. Who is most at risk?
Children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of severe illness.
5. What should I do if I’ve eaten the product?
Monitor your health for symptoms. If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider.
6. Can I cook the fungus to make it safe?
While heat can kill Salmonella, it’s not recommended to consume any recalled product, cooked or not.
7. How do I know if my product is affected?
Check the front bottom of the package for lot # XJ17 and EXP: 20260417.
8. Can I return the product?
Yes. You should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
9. How do I report this or ask questions?
Contact Natureen International Inc at 626-961-9813 or the WeiChuan Chicago Office at 708-352-8886 ext#5201.
10. What stores sold the recalled fungus?
It was distributed across retail locations in IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, and WI.
Here’s What You Should Do
If you purchased Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice, follow these steps:
- Do not eat the product
- Look for lot # XJ17 and EXP: 20260417 on the bottom front of the bag
- Return the product to the original store for a full refund
- Call Natureen at 626-961-9813 (PT) or WeiChuan at 708-352-8886 ext#5201 (CT) if you need assistance
Behind the Brand
Natureen International Inc. is a California-based importer that collaborates closely with Asian food brands, including Wei-Chuan, a household name in Asian grocery aisles. While this specific product has not been recalled before, food recalls due to Salmonella have increased across multiple categories in recent months:
- On June 13, Fuentes Farms LLC issued a voluntary recall of 71 boxes of fresh cucumbers over concerns that they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
- On June 6, 2025, the FDA published a recall alert from August Egg Company, recalling 1.7 million dozen brown shell eggs due to potential contamination with Salmonella enteritidis.
- TGD Cuts, LLC, a Jessup, Maryland-based fresh-cut produce supplier, issued a voluntary recall of several cucumber-containing products, citing possible contamination with Salmonella.
- On May 28, 2025, Isabelle’s Kitchen, Inc. recalled 946 cases of its refrigerated deli salads due to possible Salmonella contamination.
- On May 26, 2025, Supreme Service Solutions LLC (a.k.a. Supreme Produce) voluntarily recalled a slew of fresh veggie and salad trays made with cucumbers because of possible contamination with Salmonella.
“Just one contaminated batch is enough to trigger a full-scale recall. This incident underscores the critical need for strong traceability, thorough safety protocols, and transparent communication across the supply chain to keep consumers safe and maintain brand trust,” said Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.
This situation underscores the importance of regular pathogen testing and quick action when contamination is discovered.
Ensuring Safe Eats
Recalls like this also illustrate why supplier due diligence, rigorous quality control, and food traceability systems are essential parts of every operation’s success and reputation. For food brands, importers, co-packers, and manufacturers, maintaining ingredient safety compliance is not a luxury—it’s a non-negotiable.
If you’ve purchased the affected product, don’t consume it. Check the label, return it, and contact the brand directly.
Looking to secure high-quality, safety-tested bulk ingredients for your business? Contact our team today to learn how we help avoid contamination risks and build trust from the source.
