Trader Joe’s recalls over 36 million pounds of product after glass found in rice
Trader Joe’s Expands Recall to Over 36 Million Pounds After Glass Found in Rice
Trader Joe’s has expanded its recall of food items potentially contaminated with glass to more than 36 million pounds across the United States, as reported by officials. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed in a statement that 36,987,575 pounds of fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumplings made from chicken and pork were being removed from store shelves. These products are produced by Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., based in Portland, which supplies goods to Trader Joe’s locations nationwide.
Recalled Products and Expiration Dates
The affected items include four specific products: chicken fried rice with best-by dates ranging from March 4, 2026, to February 10, 2027; vegetable fried rice with dates from February 28, 2026, to November 19, 2026; Japanese-style fried rice with dates from February 28, 2026, to November 14, 2026; and chicken shu mai with dates from March 13, 2026, to October 23, 2026. Trader Joe’s urged customers to discard or return these products for a full refund.
“If you have packages of the products listed above, please do not use them,” the company stated. “Please discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.”
The recall follows a prior notice from Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., less than two weeks ago, which pulled over 3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice after the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service received four complaints about glass fragments in the product. The federal agency noted that no injuries had been confirmed due to consumption of the rice, though it advised consumers to contact their healthcare providers if they were concerned.
Voluntary Recall and Safety Measures
In a statement, Sara Guindi, a representative from Ajinomoto, explained that the recall was initiated voluntarily “out of an abundance of caution” due to “certain frozen products that may contain glass.” She emphasized the company’s dedication to upholding safety standards and its collaboration with the USDA.
“We are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards, and we continue to work closely with the USDA,” Guindi said.
The USDA also warned that some of the recalled items might still be in consumers’ or retailers’ freezers. It urged anyone who purchased these products to avoid eating them and to dispose of or return them to the place of purchase.
Matthew Lavietes contributed to this report for NBC News.