A massive frozen food recall that began in February 2026 has significantly expanded this month. As of March 23, 2026, federal regulators have added nearly 10 million additional pounds of product to a recall originally sparked by reports of glass shards found in frozen meals.
🚨 Which Trader Joe’s Products are Recalled?
The recall, initiated by manufacturer Ajinomoto Foods North America, now includes several of Trader Joe’s most popular frozen items. If you have these in your freezer, check the “Best By” dates immediately:
| Product | Affected “Best By” Dates |
| Vegetable Fried Rice | Feb 28, 2026 – Nov 19, 2026 |
| Chicken Fried Rice | March 4, 2026 – Feb 10, 2027 |
| Japanese Style Fried Rice | Feb 28, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026 |
| Chicken Shu Mai (Dumplings) | March 13, 2026 – Oct 23, 2026 |
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Note: The recall spans 43 states. Only Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Iowa are reportedly unaffected by the latest expansion.
🔍 What is the “Foreign Material” Contamination?
The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall. The “foreign material” has been identified specifically as glass shards.
- Size: Fragments vary from 1 to 3 cm long and 2 to 4 mm wide (roughly the size of a grain of rice).
- The Source: Investigators traced the glass back to a specific batch of contaminated carrots used by the manufacturer, Ajinomoto, which also produces frozen goods for brands like Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei.
🛠️ What Should Customers Do?
- Stop Eating the Product: Even if you haven’t seen glass in your specific bag, the risk of internal injury (throat or digestive system damage) is serious.
- Discard or Return: You can throw the product away or return it to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund. No receipt is required for recalled items.
- Contact Support: If you have questions, call Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 (6:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT) or contact Ajinomoto at (855) 742-5011.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Has anyone been injured by the Trader Joe’s glass recall?
As of March 24, 2026, there have been no confirmed reports of injury.
What other brands are affected by the 2026 glass recall?
The recall is part of a massive 37 million-pound operation. In addition to Trader Joe’s, affected brands include Kroger, Ajinomoto, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei frozen rice, ramen, and dumpling products.
How did glass get into the frozen rice?
According to the FDA enforcement report, the glass originated from a supplier providing carrots to the production facility. Glass can enter the stream if gauges, light bulbs, or thermometer covers break during the industrial processing of vegetables.
