TRADER JOE’S CHICKEN FRIED RICE RECALLED AFTER REPORTS OF GLASS FRAGMENTS FOUND INSIDE PRODUCT

A major food recall is raising serious health and legal concerns for millions of consumers across the United States and Canada.

If you’ve recently purchased Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice, stop. Don’t eat it. A sweeping federal recall has pulled nearly 3.4 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice from shelves after consumers discovered glass fragments inside the product.

RECALL DETAILS

On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc., a Portland, Oregon-based company, was recalling two frozen rice products:

• Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice: Sold in 20-ounce plastic bags at Trader Joe’s stores nationwide, with best-by dates of September 8 through November 17, 2026.
• Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Rice: Sold in cardboard packages of six bags in Canada, with best-by dates of September 9 through November 12, 2026.

The recall was triggered after four consumers reported finding glass pieces in the product. The affected packages are stamped with establishment number P-18356 inside the USDA mark of inspection. While no injuries have been officially reported yet, the presence of glass in a widely distributed food product is an extremely serious safety hazard that can cause significant, lasting harm.

THE DANGERS OF INGESTING GLASS

Glass is not simply an unpleasant foreign object, it is a potentially life-threatening contaminant. Unlike many food contaminants, glass fragments can be invisible to the naked eye, making it nearly impossible for a consumer to detect them before swallowing. Once ingested, glass can cause damage at multiple points along the digestive tract.

Short-Term Injuries to Watch For

In the hours and days following consumption of glass-contaminated food, you may experience:

• Mouth and throat lacerations: cuts inside the mouth, on the tongue, gums, or throat from initial contact with glass fragments.
• Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing, which can indicate esophageal injury.
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating as the glass moves through the stomach and intestines.
• Nausea and vomiting, which may or may not contain visible blood.
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool; a sign of lacerations in the lower gastrointestinal tract.
• Choking or airway obstruction in severe cases, particularly in young children or the elderly.

Any of these symptoms following consumption of the recalled product should be treated as a medical emergency. Seek immediate care at an emergency room and inform your doctor that you may have ingested glass.

Long-Term Injuries and Complications

Even when immediate symptoms appear mild, glass ingestion can lead to serious long-term medical consequences, including:

• Internal scarring: lacerations to the esophagus, stomach, or intestinal walls can heal with scar tissue, which may cause chronic pain, narrowing of the digestive tract (strictures), or difficulty eating.
• Gastrointestinal perforation: a sharp glass shard can puncture the intestinal wall, causing a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery.
• Peritonitis: if the intestinal wall is perforated, bacteria can leak into the abdominal cavity, causing a severe and potentially fatal infection.
• Chronic digestive disorders: persistent irritation or injury to the gut lining may contribute to long-term conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or chronic gastrointestinal distress.
• Psychological trauma: particularly in children or vulnerable individuals, the experience of a food safety incident can result in food-related anxiety, aversions, or post-traumatic stress.

These long-term consequences can affect quality of life, ability to work, and emotional wellbeing, all of which factor into the full scope of damages in a product liability claim.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN AFFECTED

If you purchased the recalled product or believe you or a family member may have ingested glass, taking the right steps immediately can protect both your health and your legal rights.

1. Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Even if you feel fine, glass injuries are not always immediately apparent. Internal lacerations can worsen over time. Visit your doctor or emergency room and be specific: tell them you may have consumed glass from a contaminated food product. Request a full evaluation, and ask for all findings to be documented in writing.

2. Preserve All Evidence

Do not throw away the product. If you still have the bag, seal it in a separate container and store it safely. Photograph the packaging, any visible glass fragments, and the best-by date and lot number. Keep your purchase receipt or bank statement showing the transaction. This documentation is critical if you decide to pursue a legal claim.

3. Report Your Experience

File a report with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and with the FDA’s MedWatch program if you experienced an adverse health event. You can also report directly to Trader Joe’s and Ajinomoto. These reports create an official record of your complaint and may support broader regulatory action.

4. Keep a Symptom Journal

Document every symptom you experience, the dates they occurred, and how they have impacted your daily life, work, and wellbeing. This personal record can be powerful evidence when establishing the extent of your injuries in a legal claim.

5. Consult a Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one suffered any injury as a result of this recall, you may be entitled to compensation. A qualified personal injury attorney can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and pursue claims against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. Manufacturers have a strict duty to ensure their products are safe, and when they fail, they can be held accountable.

CONTACT TORKLAW’S PRODUCT LIABILITY ATTORNEYS

The Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice recall is a sobering reminder that even familiar, trusted products can pose serious dangers when manufacturer safety systems fail. If you purchased the recalled product with a best-by date between September 8 and November 17, 2026, or if you experienced any symptoms after consuming it, you may be eligible for compensation. 

Our firm offers free, confidential consultations for individuals and families affected by this recall. You pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today at (888) 845-9696. Your health, your rights, and your recovery matter.