Ajinomoto Recalls 3.3 Million Pounds of Chicken Fried Rice After Glass Found Inside

A major frozen food recall is now affecting millions of households across the country. Ajinomoto Foods North America has pulled approximately 3,370,530 pounds of frozen chicken fried rice from the market after consumers reported finding glass in the product. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall on February 19, 2026, classifying it as a Class I health risk.

Four Consumer Complaints Triggered the Nationwide Recall

The recall did not begin with a government inspection. Ajinomoto Foods North America self-reported the issue to FSIS after receiving four separate consumer complaints about glass found in the product. The affected chicken fried rice items were produced between September 8 and November 17, 2025, at the company’s Portland, Oregon, establishment, identified by (establishment number P-18356) inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The Trader Joe’s Product Was Shipped to Retail Locations Nationwide

The primary product under recall in the United States is sold under the Trader Joe’s label. The 20-ounce plastic bags are labeled “Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice with stir-fried rice, vegetables, seasoned dark chicken meat, and eggs,” and were shipped to Trader Joe’s retail locations nationwide. Best-by dates on affected packages run from September 8, 2026, through November 17, 2026.

A Second Product Was Exported to Canada Under the Ajinomoto Brand

Ajinomoto also pulled 1.53-kilogram cardboard packages containing six bags of “Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice,” exported exclusively to Canada. The Canadian product carries best-before dates ranging from September 9, 2026, through November 12, 2026. Both products share the same establishment number and fall under the same Class I recall classification issued by FSIS.

Class I Status Means the Health Risk Is Considered Serious

FSIS classified this as a Class I recall, meaning the agency determined a “reasonable probability that consumption of the product could cause serious adverse health consequences.” Glass fragments in food pose risks, including lacerations to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. As of the announcement date, FSIS confirmed no injuries related to the recalled products had been reported.

Frozen Food’s Long Shelf Life Makes This Recall Harder to Catch

Unlike a fresh food recall where spoilage makes the risk obvious, frozen products can stay in a home freezer for months without any visible sign of contamination. Packages produced as far back as September 2025 may still be stored in households today. FSIS flagged this directly, expressing concern that the affected inventory is likely already in retailers’ or consumers’ freezers rather than still on store shelves.

What To Do If You Have the Recalled Rice at Home

Anyone who purchased the recalled rice should not eat it. FSIS is urging consumers to either throw the product out or take it back to the store. The agency is conducting recall effectiveness checks to verify that the product has been pulled from store shelves and is no longer available for purchase.

Retail Distribution Lists Will Be Posted as They Become Available

For consumers who want to know exactly which stores received the recalled products, FSIS will publish retail distribution lists on its website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls as that information becomes available. Checking that list is the most direct way for shoppers to confirm whether a location near them carries the affected inventory before discarding or returning a package.

Ajinomoto Has a Direct Line Open for Consumer Questions

Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Ajinomoto Foods North America’s Consumer Affairs team directly by phone at (855) 742-5011 or by email at [email protected]. Those with broader food safety questions can also reach the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854. The hotline is available for calls, and complaints about meat or poultry products can be filed online around the clock.

Affected Packages Could Still Be in Freezers Months From Now

With over 3.3 million pounds of product in circulation and best-by dates extending into late 2026, this recall could remain relevant for months. Frozen food’s long shelf life means affected packages may sit unnoticed well after a recall is announced. FSIS is urging anyone who purchased the product at Trader Joe’s locations nationwide to check their freezers.