Trader Joe’s frozen rice has now escalated into a massive nationwide safety event. What started as a recall of 3.4 million pounds of food has expanded to nearly 37 million pounds of frozen products potentially contaminated with glass.
37 Million Pounds Recalled
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has significantly widened the scope of the original recall. The manufacturer, Ajinomoto Foods North America, identified that a common ingredient—specifically carrots—was the likely source of glass shards found in multiple product lines.
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Total Weight: 36,987,575 pounds.
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Production Dates: October 21, 2024, through February 26, 2026.
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The Risk: Sharp, hard glass fragments that can cause serious injury to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
The Trader Joe’s “Hit List”
While the recall affects other brands (like Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei), Trader Joe’s fans need to look for these four specific items.
Crucial Update: As of March 9, 2026, the USDA has clarified that if your Lot Number matches the recall list, you should discard the product regardless of the “Best By” date.
| Product Name | Best By Date Range | Establishment Number |
| Chicken Fried Rice | 03/04/2026 – 02/10/2027 | P-18356 / P-47971 |
| Vegetable Fried Rice | 02/28/2026 – 11/19/2026 | P-18356 / P-47971 |
| Japanese Style Fried Rice | 02/28/2026 – 11/14/2026 | P-18356 / P-47971 |
| Chicken Shu Mai | 03/13/2026 – 10/23/2026 | P-18356 |
Your Immediate Action Plan
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The Freezer Sweep: Check for any of the items listed above. Even if you’ve already eaten most of the bag without issue, the risk of a single shard being in the last serving is too high.
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Do Not Consume: If you find a match, do not eat it.
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Get Your Money Back: Trader Joe’s is offering full cash refunds. You do not need a receipt; just bring the product (or even just the packaging) back to your local store.
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Health Check: If you have already consumed these products and feel sharp abdominal pain, have difficulty swallowing, or notice blood in your stool, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Who to Contact
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Trader Joe’s Customer Relations: (626) 599-3817 (6:00 am – 6:00 pm PT).
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Ajinomoto Consumer Affairs: (855) 742-5011 or email
[email protected]. -
USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline: (888) 674-6854.
Stay safe, check those labels, and maybe stick to the frozen pastas for tonight.
Would you like me to draft a quick social media post or a “Checklist” graphic you can share with your fans to help them identify the lot codes
Trader Joe’s has issued a major nationwide recall impacting millions of units sold across the country.
Federal food safety officials are urging customers to check their freezers and follow official guidance. Here’s what shoppers need to know to stay safe and informed.
The Recall: What Exactly Is Going On?
Trader Joe’s has officially pulled its Chicken Fried Rice from shelves across the country. The recall was triggered after multiple consumers reported finding pieces of hard, sharp glass inside the frozen bags.
According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recall affects approximately 3.4 million pounds of the product. This isn’t just a small batch; this is a massive, nationwide safety event. The manufacturer, CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corp., produced these items between specific dates, and they have been distributed to Trader Joe’s locations in every single state.
How to Identify if Your Bag is Affected
Before you cook dinner tonight, go to your freezer and look for the following product:
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Product Name: Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice
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Size: 16-oz. plastic bags
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Establishment Number: Look for “P-45322” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
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Specific Dates: While the recall covers a wide range, any Chicken Fried Rice currently in your freezer should be treated with extreme caution.
What Should You Do if You Have It in Your Freezer?
If you find one of these bags in your freezer, DO NOT EAT IT. Even if you have eaten half the bag already and didn’t notice anything, the risk of a sharp glass shard being lodged in the remaining rice is too high to ignore.
The Action Plan:
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Stop Consumption: Immediately set the bag aside.
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Do Not Throw It Away Yet: While you should not eat it, you may want to keep the packaging to facilitate your refund (see below).
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Check Other Frozen Items: While only the Chicken Fried Rice is currently named in this specific glass-related recall, it is always a good habit to keep an eye on TJ’s “Announcements” page, as they are known for high-frequency recalls due to their rigorous testing.
What if You Already Consumed the Food?
This is the most frightening part for many fans. If you have already eaten the Chicken Fried Rice:
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Monitor for Symptoms: Glass ingestion can cause immediate injury to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract. Symptoms of internal injury include sharp abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, or blood in the stool.
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Contact a Professional: If you suspect you have ingested a foreign object, the official advice from health authorities is to contact a healthcare provider immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
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Report the Incident: If you found glass in your meal, you should report it to the FSIS “Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System” to help investigators track the scope of the contamination.
Can You Get a Refund? (The Good News)
Trader Joe’s is famous for its customer service, and this situation is no different.
Yes, Trader Joe’s is providing full refunds. You do not even necessarily need your paper receipt. According to the company’s official statement, customers who purchased the recalled Chicken Fried Rice are urged to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s location for a full cash refund. Simply walk up to the “Bridge” (the customer service desk) and let them know you have the recalled rice. They are prepared to handle these returns quickly and efficiently.
Who Should You Contact?
If you have specific questions about the recall or want to speak with the company directly, you can reach out via the following channels:
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Trader Joe’s Customer Relations: Call (626) 599-3817 (Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm PT).
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Online: You can send a message through the “Product Feedback” or “Contact Us” forms on the official Trader Joe’s website.
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Manufacturer Inquiries: For questions directed at the producer, you can contact CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corp. at (800) 459-3445.
Keeping your family safe means staying informed about more than just today’s news. Trader Joe’s has faced several high-profile recalls recently. Here is a comprehensive look back at the products you should have cleared out of your kitchen.
Moonlight Fresh Yellow Peaches | Price: $2.99 per lb
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The Issue: These fresh peaches were flagged in October 2025 due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
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Scope: The recall affected stores in over 20 states, including California, New York, and Texas.
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Action: Customers were urged to discard any yellow peaches purchased between late September and October or return them for a full refund.
Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo | Price: $6.49
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The Issue: Recalled in September 2025, this ready-to-eat meal was part of a larger pasta safety alert involving potential Listeria contamination.
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Detail: While no illnesses were directly linked to the TJ’s version, a shared ingredient source triggered the “abundance of caution” pull.
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States Affected: Primarily West Coast stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
Uncured Pepperoni Pizza (Frozen) | Price: $5.99/17.63 Oz
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The Issue: In August 2025, this frozen favorite was recalled because it was produced and distributed without the benefit of a full FSIS inspection.
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The Risk: While not a bacterial contamination, the lack of inspection meant the product did not meet federal safety and processing standards.
Organic Whole and Baby Carrots | Price: $1.99 – $3.49
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The Issue: Part of a massive Grimmway Farms recall in November 2024, these carrots were linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak.
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Severity: This was one of the more serious recent recalls, resulting in multiple hospitalizations and one death nationwide across various brands.
Frozen Waffles (Blueberry, Gluten-Free, and Pumpkin) | Price: $2.99 – $4.49
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The Issue: A “waffle reckoning” hit in October 2024 when TreeHouse Foods recalled nearly all frozen waffles due to Listeria risks.
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Impact: This was a massive blow to breakfast fans, as it included the highly popular seasonal Pumpkin waffles.
White Meat Chicken Salad & Harvest Salad with Chicken | Price: $5.49
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The Issue: These grab-and-go salads were pulled in October 2024 due to potential Listeria in the pre-cooked poultry provided by BrucePac.
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Scope: This was a huge recall affecting over 11 million pounds of meat used in various retail salads and wraps.
Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews (50% Less Sodium) | Price: $7.99
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The Issue: Pulled in March 2024 after routine testing by the FDA found the presence of Salmonella.
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Identification: The recall specifically targeted lots with Best Before dates ranging from February to March 2025.
Chicken, Lentil, & Caramelized Onion Pilaf | Price: $4.49
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The Issue: This frozen meal had a short life on shelves; it was launched in January 2024 and recalled by February for containing “foreign material.”
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The Secret: While TJ’s was vague, the USDA later confirmed that customers had reported finding actual rocks in the rice mixture.
Southwest Salad and Elote Chopped Salad Kit | Price: $3.69 – $3.99
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The Issue: Recalled in February 2024 due to the Rizo-Lopez cotija cheese outbreak.
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The Danger: This Listeria outbreak was linked to two deaths and 26 illnesses, making it one of the most dangerous dairy-related recalls in recent years.
Fully Cooked Falafel | Price: $4.29
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The Issue: Recalled in July 2023 for potential “foreign material” contamination.
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The Detail: Much like the pilaf, these frozen falafel balls were found to potentially contain small rocks, leading to an immediate nationwide pull.
Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup | Price: $4.99
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The Issue: This fan-favorite soup was recalled in July 2023 for a reason that grossed out many fans: potential insect contamination.
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Action: The company acted quickly to remove the product from the refrigerated section after several reports of “unwanted guests” in the containers.
Instant Cold Brew Coffee | Price: $4.49
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The Issue: In April 2023, this convenient powder was recalled because the glass jars were prone to breaking, potentially leaving glass shards inside the coffee.
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Safety Tip: This was a high-priority recall due to the immediate physical danger of ingesting sharp glass particles.
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