Ajinomoto Foods North America Recalls Chicken Fried Rice Over Possible Glass Contamination

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 19, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that Ajinomoto Foods North America is recalling approximately 3.37 million pounds of frozen not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) chicken fried rice products due to possible contamination with foreign material, specifically glass.

According to FSIS, the recall affects products produced between September 8, 2025, and November 17, 2025, and includes items sold under both the Ajinomoto and Trader Joe’s brands. Regulators identified the issue after the company received multiple consumer complaints about glass in the product.

Ajinomoto Foods North America recall: Quick summary

The recall covers frozen chicken fried rice products distributed nationwide in the U.S. and exported to Canada. FSIS classified the recall as Class I (high risk), meaning there is a reasonable probability that use of the product could cause serious health consequences. Regulators have not confirmed any injuries so far. They urge consumers not to eat the products and to discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

What happened?

FSIS said Ajinomoto initiated the recall after discovering potential glass contamination in its frozen chicken fried rice products. The company notified regulators that it had received four consumer complaints reporting glass fragments in the food.

The establishment notified FSIS after receiving four consumer complaints about glass found in the product, the agency said in its recall alert. FSIS reported no confirmed injuries linked to consumption of the product but warned consumers to seek medical care if they believe the product caused harm.

Trader Joe’s shipped its branded product to retail locations nationwide, while Ajinomoto exported its branded product exclusively to Canada. All recalled items bear establishment number P-18356 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The agency also expressed concern that some of the affected products may still be in consumers’ freezers.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Best by date	Issue	Affected zones
Ajinomoto	Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice	1.53 kg (6 bags)	26 SE 09–26 NO 12	Possible glass	Canada
Trader Joe’s	Chicken Fried Rice	20 oz	9/8/26–11/17/26	Possible glass	Nationwide (U.S.)

What caused the issue?

FSIS triggered the recall after receiving reports of foreign material contamination, specifically glass. Such contamination can occur during processing or packaging if equipment breaks or materials enter the production line.

Health risks include mouth or throat injuries, internal cuts, and choking hazards. Children, older adults, and individuals with swallowing difficulties may face a higher risk. FSIS confirmed that no illnesses or injuries have been officially reported at this time.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not eat the recalled products.
• Return them to the place of purchase or dispose of them safely.
• Check the best-by dates and establishment number (P-18356) on the label.
• For questions or refunds, contact Ajinomoto Foods North America Consumer Affairs at 855-742-5011 or [email protected].

Behind the brand

Ajinomoto Foods North America is a major producer of frozen meals and Asian-inspired food products for retail and foodservice markets. The company’s recall notice states that it has ceased distribution of the affected products and is working closely with FSIS to remove them from commerce.

Source86 reached out to Ajinomoto Foods North America for comment on how the contamination occurred but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows several recent incidents involving foreign material contamination in frozen and prepared foods. Similar recalls reported by Source86 include Dollar General, which pulled Clover Valley® Instant Coffee over potential glass contamination; JJ Nuts, which recalled MAGIC FLAME Sunflower Kernels due to glass contamination; and Upper Crust Bakery, which issued a recall of frozen bread products over similar concerns. Food safety specialists note that mechanical failures and packaging line breakdowns remain common causes of these events.

“Foreign objects in food pose a significant risk to consumers’ health because sharp or hard contaminants can cause injury or illness if ingested,” said Robert Lockwood, marketing manager for Detectamet Group, a food safety technology provider. “Minimizing the presence of these materials through comprehensive detection and prevention systems is essential to protect public health and maintain trust in the food supply.”

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, added:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Ensuring safe eats

This recall highlights the ongoing importance of strong quality control systems across frozen food supply chains. Companies are strengthening equipment monitoring, supplier oversight, and rapid traceability to prevent similar incidents. Consumers should immediately check their freezers and follow recall instructions.

At Source86, we support food brands with bulk ingredient sourcing, private label production, and food safety oversight, helping supply chains respond quickly and responsibly when recalls occur. Contact us.