Trader Joe's Recalls Chicken Fried Rice Over Glass Contamination

More than 3.3 million pounds of the product were voluntarily recalled after customers reported finding shards of glass.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 12:22am

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Trader Joe's has issued a recall for its popular chicken fried rice products after customers reported finding shards of glass inside the packaging. The recall affects over 3.3 million pounds of the product, which was sold under both the Trader Joe's and Ajinomoto brands across the United States and Canada. Shoppers are urged to throw away or return the affected items, which have 'best by' dates ranging from September 2026 to November 2026.

Why it matters

Food safety is a critical concern, and the discovery of glass fragments in packaged food products can pose serious health risks to consumers. This recall highlights the importance of quality control measures in the food manufacturing industry to prevent such contamination incidents and protect public health.

The details

The Trader Joe's-branded chicken fried rice was shipped to the company's stores across the United States, while the Ajinomoto-labeled product was shipped only to Canada. The issue came to light after Ajinomoto notified the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service that it had received four customer complaints about glass in the product. No confirmed injuries have been reported in connection with eating the fried rice.

  • The 'best by' dates for the Trader Joe's product range from September 8, 2026, to November 17, 2026.
  • The 'best buy' dates for the Ajinomoto product range from September 9, 2026, to November 12, 2026.

The players

Trader Joe's

A popular grocery store chain known for its unique and affordable private-label products.

Ajinomoto

A Japanese food and biotechnology company that produces the Ajinomoto-branded chicken fried rice product affected by the recall.

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What’s next

Shoppers who have purchased the affected Trader Joe's or Ajinomoto chicken fried rice products are urged to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

The takeaway

This recall serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent quality control measures in the food industry to ensure consumer safety. It also highlights the need for prompt and transparent communication from manufacturers when issues arise to protect public health.