A well-known grocery brand has initiated a recall of several popular products due to the potential presence of small stones. This recall, prompted by health concerns, affects specific batches of Ben’s Original Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild Ready Rice.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighted the urgency of this recall. The presence of small stones, which can naturally occur during the rice farming process, poses serious risks to consumers. The initial danger lies in the potential for traumatic injury to the mouth, where hard materials can lead to cracked teeth or cuts on the gums, inner cheeks, and tongue.

If these stones are swallowed, they can travel through the digestive tract, causing a series of significant health issues. These can range from lacerations in the esophagus and bowel obstructions to scrapes along the intestinal wall, potentially leading to internal bleeding and even sepsis.

The affected products have been distributed to major retailers such as United Markets, Amazon, HEB stores, and Target. However, the announcement from the FDA warns that the recall might extend beyond these outlets. Additional retailers, who may have acquired the products through distributors like Associated Grocers, C&S, and Dot Foods between August and September, could also be affected.

The recalled products are sold in United Markets, Amazon, HEB stores, and Target.

But the company warned in an FDA announcement: ‘Impacted retailers are not limited to those listed below as additional retailers may have purchased products distributed by Associated Grocers, C&S, and Dot Foods from August through September.’

The recall is confined to the specific batches in question; no other Ben’s Original products are involved.

The company added: ‘In line with our commitment to transparency and trust, we are taking action to remove the impacted products from the stores where they were sent and to notify consumers.’

The recall affects specific batches of three Ben’s Original Ready Rice varieties: Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown and Long Grain & Wild. The impacted products, which all have a best-by date of August 2026. Consumers are urged to check the batch code on the bottom of their package

There have been no reports of injury or illness to date regarding the potentially impacted product. All of the recalled shelf-stable products have best-by dates of August 2026.

The company said: ‘These small stones pose possible risk of oral or digestive tract injury if consumed.’

The affected products have best-by dates of August 2026 and include Long Grain White (batch codes 533ELGRV22, 534ALGRV22), Whole Grain Brown (534AMGRV22, 534BMGRV22, 534DMGRV22) and Long Grain & Wild (533BMGRV22, 533CLGRV22, 533CMGRV22). 

A stone’s hardness can easily crack a tooth upon a single bite, ranging from a minor yet painful hairline fracture to a severe break that exposes the nerve. 

The result is intense pain, sensitivity and a necessary visit to the dentist for a crown, root canal or even an extraction.

Stones can also crack or dislodge fillings, crowns and veneers, leading to pain and costly repairs.

Moreover, the sharp edges of a stone can cut the gums, inner cheeks, palate or tongue, leading to bleeding, pain and an open wound vulnerable to infection.

Swallowing the stone poses a host of other risks. 

On its way down the esophagus, a very delicate muscular tube, a sharp stone can tear its lining, causing severe pain and bleeding.

The worst-case scenario is a puncture, a life-threatening emergency that could allow bacteria to leak into the chest cavity and cause a severe infection called mediastinitis.

The products were sold at major retailers like United Markets, Amazon, HEB and Target, but the company warns the recall could extend to other stores supplied by specific distributors between August and September (stock)

The stones present a dual danger: causing traumatic injuries to the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth, and if swallowed, potentially lacerating or obstructing the digestive tract, with risks escalating to life-threatening infections (stock)

A larger stone or several smaller stones can become lodged in the narrow parts of the intestines, causing a blockage that prevents the normal passage of food and digestive fluids.

This blockage can cause severe abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting and an inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement.

It often requires hospitalization and, in some cases, surgery to remove the obstruction.

Finally, as the stone moves through the intestines, its sharp edges can scrape and lacerate the lining, causing internal bleeding that may manifest as black, tarry stools or, in severe cases, perforate the bowel wall.

A bowel perforation is a surgical emergency, as it spills intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity, leading to a severe and widespread infection and life-threatening sepsis.

The fact that the stones are naturally occurring indicates that they were not entirely a reflection of a processing error.

It is not uncommon for other foods to be recalled for similar reasons, such as the presence of rocks in frozen vegetables and metal shavings in snacks. 

Naturally derived contaminants can sometimes bypass safety checks and end up in packaged goods, underscoring the need for constant monitoring of the manufacturing chain.