In an alarming food safety incident, nearly 37 million pounds of popular frozen meals, including fried rice, ramen, and dumplings, have been recalled due to the potential presence of glass fragments. These products, sold under well-known brand names such as Kroger and Trader Joe’s, are now at the center of a significant consumer safety alert.

The recall is spearheaded by Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., based in Portland, Oregon. The company has broadened its initial recall to encompass approximately 36,987,575 pounds of chicken and pork fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumplings following reports from at least four consumers who discovered pieces of glass in their meals.

This situation has prompted the USDA to issue a Class I recall, the most critical classification, indicating a ‘reasonable probability’ of severe health risks or even mortality due to the contaminated food. This underscores the urgency and potential danger associated with the consumption of these products.

Initially, the recall was limited to a single product. However, further investigation revealed the need to extend it to 16 different products distributed under familiar brand names, including Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei, and Trader Joe’s, which are staples in households across the country.

These affected items were produced over a span that stretches from October 2024 to February 2026 and carry best-buy dates from February 28, 2026, to August 19, 2027. They have been distributed to stores nationwide, affecting a broad range of consumers.

Ajinomoto, upon receiving consumer feedback about the contamination, was legally required to alert the Food Safety and Inspection Service, part of the USDA. The subsequent investigation pinpointed the source of the glass contamination to tainted carrots, which were used in the production of several food items.

Neither the first nor the expanded second recall notices from the FSIS explained how glass got into the carrots in the first place.

According to the FSIS: ‘There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.’

Millions of Americans could have these products in their freezers right now, unknowingly putting themselves at risk of choking, or worse, internal injuries and bleeding. They are advised to throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased. 

Portland-based Ajinomoto Foods is expanding a Class I recall to nearly 37 million pounds of chicken and pork fried rice, ramen and shu mai after four customers found glass in their food (stock)

The FSIS told consumers to check the packaging for establishment numbers P-18356, P-18356B or P-47971 inside the USDA mark. 

In addition to having been shipped to thousands of stores across the country, certain Ajinomoto products had been exported to Canada and Mexico.

The first recall was announced on February 19 and included about 3.4 million pounds of chicken fried rice products.

It was expanded to cover an additional 33,617,045 pounds of fried rice, ramen and shu mai dumplings, bringing the total to nearly 37 million pounds.

The health risk of swallowing bits of glass could be potentially severe and even life-threatening. 

Glass is sharp, rigid, and does not dissolve in the stomach. 

Depending on the size and shape, those fragments can slice through soft tissue as they travel through the digestive tract.

Larger or sharper pieces can get stuck, tearing the lining of the stomach or punching a hole in the intestinal wall.

The affected products hit stores nationwide and were made between October 2024 and February 2026. Check for best-by dates from Feb 28, 2026, through Aug 19, 2027 (file photo)

The investigation traced the source to contaminated carrots, an ingredient used across multiple products 

That can trigger peritonitis, a life-threatening abdominal infection that requires emergency surgery. In rare cases, glass can even lacerate blood vessels, leading to severe internal bleeding.

The FSIS announces recalls of meat, poultry and processed egg products and conducts follow-up checks to confirm the company notified its distributors and retailers.

FSIS inspectors also ensure that stores have physically removed the contaminated products from their freezers.

‘FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers’ or consumers’ freezers,’ the agency said.

‘Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.’