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
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a significant recall of Trader Joe’s food items, which now exceeds 36 million pounds due to the presence of glass fragments in rice-based products. This update follows an initial recall that had already been in effect for nearly two weeks.
Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., a Portland-based company supplying products to Trader Joe’s, is responsible for the affected items. The recall includes a range of frozen and ready-to-eat products, such as chicken and pork fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumplings, totaling 36,987,575 pounds.
Trader Joe’s has listed four products under the recall. These include chicken fried rice with best-by dates from March 4, 2026, to February 10, 2027; vegetable fried rice with dates from February 28, 2026, through 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, through October 23, 2026.
“Consumers should avoid using any packages of the recalled products and discard them or return them to Trader Joe’s for a full refund,” the company stated in its release.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported receiving four complaints about glass found in product, which prompted the initial recall of over 3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice. No injuries have been confirmed as a result of consuming the rice, though the agency warned that some items might still be in freezers across the country.
Ajinomoto’s Voluntary Recall
Sara Guindi, a representative for Ajinomoto Foods, explained that the recall was initiated voluntarily “as a precautionary measure” due to “certain frozen products that may contain glass.” She emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards and its ongoing collaboration with the USDA.
Consumers who purchased the affected items are advised to stop using them immediately. The USDA encourages anyone with concerns to consult their healthcare provider if they suspect the rice caused any issues.
Matt Lavietes contributed this report for NBC News.