Nationwide Recall: Trader Joe’s frozen chicken fried rice pulled over possible glass contamination

A major food safety recall has been issued affecting millions of pounds of frozen chicken fried rice sold under the Trader Joe’s brand across the United States after reports of potential glass contamination. The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classified the action as a Class I recall, the most serious type, indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the product could cause serious health consequences.

The recall involves nearly 3.4 million pounds of Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice, packaged in 20-ounce plastic bags and featuring a combination of stir-fried rice, vegetables, seasoned dark chicken meat, and eggs.

These products were manufactured by Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. in Portland, Oregon, and bear the establishment number P-18356 inside the USDA inspection mark.


Affected products were produced between September 8 and November 17, 2025 and carry “best-by” dates between September 8 and November 17, 2026. The frozen meals were distributed nationwide to Trader Joe’s stores across the United States.

In addition to the Trader Joe’s product sold in the US, the recall also includes Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice packages (containing six 1.53-kg bags) sold exclusively in Canada with “best by” dates from September 9 through November 12, 2026.

Reason for the recall

The voluntary recall was initiated after the company notified federal regulators that it had received four consumer complaints reporting pieces of glass inside the frozen chicken fried rice.

While there have been no confirmed injuries reported so far, the presence of glass poses a significant hazard, potentially causing cuts or other internal injuries if ingested.

Glass contamination in packaged foods is treated as a serious food safety risk because even small fragments can lead to dangerous outcomes, such as dental injury, mouth cuts, or internal bleeding. These risks are why the FSIS places such recalls in the Class I category, the highest level of concern.

Federal officials urge consumers to immediately check their freezers for recalled products. Anyone who has purchased the affected Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice is advised to:

• Not eat the product, even if it looks and smells normal.
  
• Discard the item or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
  
• Contact a healthcare provider if they experience symptoms after consuming the product.
  

The FSIS and Ajinomoto Foods have provided consumer resources and contact information for questions related to the recall. Affected customers can reach out to Ajinomoto Foods North America’s Consumer Affairs or Trader Joe’s customer service for support.