Nearly 3.4 million pounds of recalled Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice products may contain glass

Ajinomoto Foods North America has recalled nearly 3.4 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice products due to potential glass contamination, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture officials. The massive recall affects products sold at Trader Joe’s locations across the United States and in Canada.

The Portland, Oregon-based company identified Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice as the primary affected product in the U.S. market. The frozen meals, which contain a mixture of fried rice, vegetables, chicken meat, and eggs, are packaged in 20-ounce plastic bags and have best-by dates ranging from September 8 through November 17, 2026. Affected packages can be identified by the establishment number P-18356 printed inside the USDA mark of inspection.

In Canada, the recall extends to cardboard packages containing six bags of frozen Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Rice. These products have best-by dates between September 9 and November 12, 2026.

The contamination issue came to light after four consumers reported finding pieces of glass in their meals. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with these incidents. Food safety officials are advising consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them. Instead, customers should either discard the items or return them to the store of purchase.

This recall represents one of the larger food safety actions in recent months and highlights the ongoing challenges food manufacturers face in maintaining product safety across complex supply chains. The frozen food sector, valued at over $250 billion globally, has seen increasing demand during the pandemic as consumers stocked up on convenient meal options with longer shelf lives.

Ajinomoto Foods North America is a subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., a Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in food and biotechnology products. The company has established itself as a significant player in the North American frozen food market, with a diverse portfolio ranging from Asian-inspired dishes to traditional American comfort foods.

Trader Joe’s, known for its private-label products and loyal customer base, has dealt with several high-profile recalls in recent years. The grocery chain typically responds swiftly to food safety concerns to maintain consumer trust. While the company has not issued a separate statement regarding this specific recall, retailers typically cooperate fully with manufacturers during such incidents to ensure affected products are removed from shelves.

Food safety experts note that glass contamination, while relatively rare, poses significant health risks to consumers. Foreign material contamination can occur at various points in the manufacturing process, from raw ingredient handling to packaging. Modern food production facilities employ multiple detection methods, including X-ray systems and metal detectors, though these technologies are not always foolproof in identifying non-metallic contaminants like glass.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classifies this as a Class II recall, indicating a situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product. The agency is monitoring the situation to ensure all affected products are properly removed from the market.

Consumers with questions about the recall are typically directed to contact the manufacturer’s customer service department or the USDA’s toll-free meat and poultry hotline. Food safety officials also recommend that consumers check their freezers thoroughly, as the long shelf life of these products means they could remain in households for extended periods.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust quality control measures throughout the food supply chain and the critical role of consumer reporting in identifying potential hazards.