Trader Joe's Recalls 36M Pounds
A massive recall is underway after more than 36 million pounds of ready-to-eat chicken fried rice, pork fried rice, ramen, and dumpling products were found to contain glass fragments. Trader Joe's products are included in the recall. Consumers are urged to check freezers and return affected items immediately.
The massive recall originated from several consumer complaints of finding glass in their frozen food products. The manufacturer, Ajinomoto Foods North America, a Portland, Oregon-based company, then notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Upon investigation, the company determined that a vegetable ingredient, specifically carrots, was the likely source of the glass contamination. This finding prompted an initial recall in February 2026 of approximately 3.4 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice. The recall was significantly expanded in March 2026 to include an additional 33.6 million pounds of ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat products. This brought the total weight of the recalled food to nearly 37 million pounds. Beyond Trader Joe's, the recall encompasses products sold under the brand names Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei. The affected items include various types of fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumplings, which were distributed nationwide and also exported to Canada and Mexico. The recalled products were produced between October 2024 and February 2026, with best-by dates extending from February 28, 2026, to August 19, 2027. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries related to the consumption of these products. This nearly 37-million-pound recall is one of the largest in recent U.S. history. For comparison, other major recalls include a 35-million-pound Sara Lee deli product recall in 1998 and a 19-million-pound ConAgra ground beef recall in 2002. The FSIS is conducting checks to ensure the recalled products are removed from sale. Ajinomoto Foods has stated it is working closely with the USDA and is committed to maintaining high safety standards. Consumers are advised to check their freezers for the recalled products, which can be identified by the establishment numbers P-18356, P-18356B, or P-47971 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items should not be consumed and can be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
