Sempio Food Services Inc. of Cerritos, California, is recalling 4,596 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken stew imported from the Republic of Korea without undergoing import reinspection by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, the agency announced.

The recall covers two SKUs produced on March 30 and carrying a best-by date of Sept. 29, 2027:

• Cardboard boxes containing pouches of 31.75-oz (900 g) "Sempio Korean Ginseng CHICKEN STEW CLASSIC"
• Cardboard boxes containing pouches of 31.75-oz (900 g) "Sempio Korean Ginseng CHICKEN STEW RICH"

Affected product bears Korean establishment number "GIA15001" and shipping mark "MK-2026-0422-01." Sempio distributed the stew to distributors and retailers in eight states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

FSIS discovered the problem during routine surveillance activities — not through illness reports or consumer complaints. No confirmed reports of illness or injury tied to the products have surfaced, and the agency is not aware of any adverse reactions.

For importers and retail buyers, the mechanics matter. Imported meat and poultry products cannot enter U.S. commerce legally without FSIS reinspection at the port of entry. Product that bypasses that step is subject to recall regardless of whether it poses a documented health hazard, because the agency has no verification that it meets U.S. inspection standards. That puts the burden on distributors and retailers in the affected states to pull inventory and verify stock against the establishment and shipping marks.

FSIS said some product may already sit in consumers' pantries. The agency urged consumers not to eat the stew and retailers not to sell it, advising that the products be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Anyone concerned about illness or injury should contact a healthcare provider.

The volume is modest — under 2.3 tons across eight states — but the recall illustrates a recurring exposure for operators stocking imported shelf-stable items: a documentation and inspection lapse at the port can force a full pull of product with a shelf life stretching into 2027. Distributors and multi-unit operators sourcing Sempio's ginseng chicken stew should check holding coolers, dry storage and any retail grab-and-go sets against the marks above. FSIS will post retail distribution lists if they become available.