Trader Joe’s and several other grocery stores have recently issued recalls for frozen food products due to possible glass contamination. This issue arose after Trader Joe’s recalled batches of its private-label chicken fried rice, with best-by dates extending from September 8 to November 17.
The recall has now expanded to include several other items, such as vegetable fried rice, Japanese-style fried rice, and chicken shu mai. New batches of chicken fried rice, with best-by dates ranging from March 4, 2023, to February 10, 2027, are also part of this alert.
A Trader Joe’s spokesperson, Nakia Rohde, emphasized the company’s commitment to the health and safety of customers. They are taking all necessary precautions to ensure food safety.
Customers are advised to dispose of any recalled products or return them for a full refund. Ajinomoto Foods North America, the supplier of these products, stated that, so far, there have been no reported injuries linked to the contamination. They expanded their recall “out of an abundance of caution,” according to spokesperson Sara Guindi.
The contamination likely came from a vegetable ingredient, specifically carrots. This was identified after the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service received consumer complaints and conducted further investigations. In total, Ajinomoto is recalling nearly 37 million pounds of food under various labels, including Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei.
Alongside Trader Joe’s, other supermarkets like Costco and Ralphs have also recently initiated recalls. Costco members who purchased specific chicken and rice products with best-by dates between November 2025 and January 2027, as well as Ralphs customers with chicken or vegetable rice dated from March 2025 to March 2026, are urged to act accordingly.
Recalls like this aren’t unusual. For example, in 2025, Trader Joe’s and Aldi each recalled ten products, while Whole Foods recalled sixteen. Such incidents put a spotlight on the need for food safety regulations and consumer awareness.
Interestingly, a survey by the Food Marketing Institute revealed that 67% of consumers check for recalls before purchasing food. This reflects growing consumer vigilance around food safety. As we continue to face challenges in food production, incidents like these remind us to pay close attention to product recalls.
For a complete list of affected products, you can visit the USDA’s official website.
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