Ajinomoto expands recall to nearly 37 million pounds of frozen meals

Ajinomoto Foods North America expanded a frozen-product recall by 33,617,045 pounds, bringing the combined total to 36,987,575 pounds of frozen fried rice, ramen and shumai dumplings sold under multiple brand names at retailers nationwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service posted the expansion after the company received multiple consumer complaints reporting glass in products.

The recalled items include products sold as Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei and Trader Joe’s and were available at retailers including Trader Joe’s, Costco in the U.S. and Canada, Walmart, Kroger and Sam’s Club. Examples named in agency postings include Ajinomoto Tokyo Style Shoyu Ramen With Chicken, Ajinomoto Fried Rice Authentic Japanese Style, Chinese Inspirations Chicken Fried Rice and Trader Joe’s Chicken Shu Mai. Some items were exported to Canada and Mexico.

FSIS said the expansion covers products produced between Oct. 21, 2024 and Feb. 26, 2026 with best-by dates from Feb. 28, 2026 to Aug. 19, 2027. Many packages bear USDA establishment numbers P-18356, P-18356B or P-47971 inside the inspection mark, indicating production at Ajinomoto facilities identified in agency notices. The recall is listed under FSIS recall documentation and carries the agency’s high-risk designation.

“Upon further investigation, the establishment determined that a vegetable source ingredient, specifically carrots, was the likely source of the glass contamination, which also impacted the additional products subject to this expanded recall,” FSIS said in its notice. The agency classified the action as a Class I recall, noting that such actions are those “where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

Ajinomoto initially recalled about 3.37 million pounds of Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice in February; the company and FSIS expanded the scope after identifying the common ingredient in additional items. Sources that reported the recall have noted a slight discrepancy in counts, with some listings describing 15 affected products and others 16; FSIS maintains the definitive product list and label images on its recalls web page.

At the time of the FSIS notice there were no confirmed reports of injury linked to the recalled products. Eating food contaminated with glass can pose a risk of serious internal injury, and consumers who have the affected items are advised not to eat them. Consumers should discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Retailers and Ajinomoto are expected to follow up with distribution tracebacks and supplier investigations to determine how glass entered the carrots supplied to Ajinomoto’s production lines. Consumers seeking the full list of recalled SKUs, label images and the official recall notice can view FSIS postings at fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Journalists and public health officials will watch for further statements from Ajinomoto and updated injury reports as the investigation continues.