Trader Joe's Recalls 36M Pounds
Trader Joe's is recalling 36 million pounds of chicken fried rice and related products — including ramen and shu mai dumplings — due to glass fragments found in the food. The nationwide recall affects ready-to-eat and frozen meals distributed across the US. Consumers are urged to check their freezers immediately and dispose of affected products.
The recall initiated on February 19 by Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. has since expanded, now encompassing nearly 37 million pounds of products. This massive increase from the initially stated 3.37 million pounds now includes various ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat items sold under brands like Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei, in addition to Trader Joe's. The source of the glass contamination has been traced back to a vegetable ingredient, specifically carrots, used in the production process. The issue came to light after the company received four consumer complaints about finding glass in the chicken fried rice. Fortunately, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries resulting from the consumption of these products. This is not the first time Ajinomoto Foods North America has dealt with foreign material contamination. In September 2021, the company recalled approximately 33,567 pounds of frozen chicken and vegetable potstickers due to the presence of clear flexible and hard plastic. That recall was also prompted by consumer complaints. The recalled products were manufactured at a facility in Portland, Oregon, bearing the establishment number P-18356 inside the USDA mark of inspection. The production dates for the currently recalled items span from September 8, 2025, to November 17, 2025. Contamination with foreign materials was a significant issue in food safety in the preceding year. In 2025, the presence of foreign material was the leading cause for the 13 recalls issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers glass particles between 7 and 25 millimeters in length to be a public health hazard. Glass fragments are considered the most likely type of foreign material to result in injury and potential legal action. Potential sources of glass contamination in a food processing plant can include light fixtures, gauge covers, or glass containers used during production.
