Nearly 10 million pounds of Trader Joe’s frozen products have been recalled because they could be contaminated with glass.
Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. said in a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration that over 400,000 cases, or about 9.8 million pounds, of Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice are being recalled due to the presence of “foreign objects.”
The notice said that the products were being pulled due to “glass varying in size from 1-3cm long and 2-4mm wide.”
The vegetable fried rice packages were listed in a March 3 news release from Trader Joe’s as being included in the recall. Other products mentioned by Trader Joe’s included its Chicken Fried Rice, Japanese Style Fried Rice and Chicken Shu Mai.
The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said in a March 3 announcement that carrots were “the likely source of the glass contamination” after it received multiple complaints of glass being present in the packages.
“We err on the side of caution and are proactive in addressing issues,” Trader Joe’s said in a statement to USA TODAY. “We voluntarily take action quickly, aggressively investigating potential problems and removing the product from sale if there is any doubt about its safety or quality.”
Trader Joe’s recall details
The recalled vegetable fried rice packages have best-by dates ranging from Feb. 28 to Nov. 19 and a UPC of 00521482. The recalled chicken fried rice packages have best-by dates between Sept. 8 and Nov. 17.
In the notice, the FDA described the recall as a Class II recall. The risk classification from the federal agency indicates that the recalled products could cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” but that the chances of serious adverse health consequences are “remote.”
FSIS said in its March 3 announcement that any of the recalled products, which include brand names Kroger, Tai Pei and others, should be thrown away or returned to the point of sale. It was initiated on Feb. 19 and expanded on March 3.
The full product list and product labels connected to the recall are available on the FSIS website.
Where were recalled Trader Joe’s products sent?
The recalled Vegetable Fried Rice packages were distributed in 43 states, including New York and several surrounding states – Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
What consumers should do
Customers with questions about the recall can contact Ajinomoto Foods North America at 855-742-5011 or email customercare@ajinomotofoods.com.
Trader Joe’s can be reached via phone at 626-599-3817.
Where are Trader Joe’s stores located in New York?
There are 38 Trader Joe’s locations in New York, according to the company’s website. Here’s where they are in upstate New York:
To find your nearest location go to the Trader Joe’s store locator in its website.
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Nearly 10 million pounds of Trader Joe’s food recalled. What to know
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
