Trader Joe’s Frozen-Meal Recall Expanded After Glass Found, Nearly 37M Pounds

Ajinomoto Foods North America expanded a recall on March 3–4, 2026 after multiple consumers reported finding glass in frozen meals, adding approximately 33,617,045 pounds of ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat products and pushing the total recalled quantity to roughly 36.99 million pounds. The expansion covers 16 additional items produced between Oct. 21, 2024 and Feb. 26, 2026 under Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei, and Trader Joe’s labels.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service received consumer reports and was notified after four customer complaints about glass in products, prompting the wider action. The USDA issued a statement identifying a vegetable source ingredient, specifically carrots, as the likely source of the glass contamination: “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.”

Trader Joe’s announced that four Trader Joe’s-branded frozen items are included in the expanded recall: Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Japanese Style Fried Rice, and Chicken Shu Mai. Product-specific best-by date ranges reported include Chicken Fried Rice, March 4 through Feb. 10, 2027; Vegetable Fried Rice, Feb. 28 through Nov. 19; Japanese Style Fried Rice, Feb. 28 through Nov. 14; and Chicken Shu Mai, March 13 through Oct. 23. Establishment numbers printed inside the USDA mark of inspection include P-18356, P-18356B, and P-47971, and a broader best-by span for Trader Joe’s recalled frozen products runs from Feb. 28, 2026 through Aug. 19, 2027.

Trader Joe’s framed the recall as precautionary in a March 3 consumer alert, writing, “We are recalling certain Trader Joe’s frozen products because of the potential that they may be contaminated with foreign material—specifically, glass.” A Trader Joe’s spokesperson added, “Should a recall become necessary, we waste no time in providing our customers details.” The company advises customers to discard affected products or return them to the store where purchased for a full refund, and Trader Joe’s Customer Relations can be reached at (626) 599-3817, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Distribution details vary by brand: Trader Joe’s items were shipped to Trader Joe’s retail locations nationwide, while an Ajinomoto-labeled item was exported only to Canada. No injuries have been reported or confirmed in connection with the recalled products as of the expansion notice. FSIS had classified the earlier mid-February recall as a Class I action, and some notices list the initial recall date as Feb. 19 while others list Feb. 20.

The recall remains active and FSIS recall postings include the full product lists, lot numbers, and images consumers and store teams will need to identify affected packages.