More than 36 million pounds of rice, ramen, and dumplings have been recalled due to reports of glass shards found in the food. The recall involves products sold under popular brands, including those from **Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.**, **Trader Joe’s**, and **Kroger**. The urgency of this action stems from at least four consumer complaints, prompting the **U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)** to classify the recall as Class I, indicating a reasonable probability of serious health consequences.
The expanded recall now includes approximately **36,987,575 pounds** of chicken and pork fried rice, ramen, and **shu mai** dumplings. These products were produced between **October 2024 and February 2026** and carry best-by dates ranging from **February 28, 2026, to August 19, 2027**. The contaminated items were shipped to retailers nationwide and some have even reached consumers in **Canada** and **Mexico**.
The investigation began after consumers reported discovering shards of glass in their meals. This prompted Ajinomoto to inform the **Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)**, which initiated an investigation. It was determined that the glass contamination originated from carrots used in several of the affected products. Despite this finding, the FSIS has not disclosed how the glass ended up in the carrots.
In light of the potential health risks associated with consuming these products, the FSIS has urged consumers to check for establishment numbers **P-18356**, **P-18356B**, or **P-47971** located within the USDA mark on packaging. Individuals who have purchased these items are advised to discard them or return them to the store for a refund.
The initial recall was announced on **February 19, 2026**, affecting around **3.4 million pounds** of chicken fried rice. The subsequent expansion added an additional **33,617,045 pounds** to the total, bringing the overall recall weight close to **37 million pounds**.
The health implications of ingesting glass can be severe. Sharp fragments may cause choking, internal injuries, or bleeding. Depending on their size and shape, these shards can slice through soft tissue in the digestive system, potentially leading to conditions like **peritonitis**, which is a serious infection of the abdominal cavity requiring emergency medical intervention.
The FSIS has emphasized the importance of removing these products from store shelves, stating, “FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers’ or consumers’ freezers.” Consumers are reminded not to consume the affected products and to take appropriate action as recommended.
As this situation evolves, Ajinomoto and regulatory agencies continue to monitor the recall process to ensure consumer safety and compliance with health standards.
