- Ajinomoto Foods North America recalled nearly 37 million pounds of frozen fried rice, ramen and dumplings after reports that some products may contain glass fragments.
- The affected foods were sold under several major brands, including Kroger, Trader Joe's, Ling Ling, Tai Pei and Ajinomoto.
- The recall was classified as Class I by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, meaning consumption could cause serious health consequences or death.
- Investigators traced the contamination to carrots used in production, though officials said it remains unclear how the glass fragments entered the ingredient supply.
- Officials said no injuries have been confirmed, but consumers are urged not to eat the products and instead throw them away or return them, as some items may still be in household freezers.
U.S. food safety officials have announced a major recall of nearly 37 million pounds of frozen fried rice, ramen and dumpling products sold under several popular brands after reports that some items may contain glass fragments.
The recall was issued by Ajinomoto Foods North America, which expanded an earlier recall after at least four customers reported finding shards of glass in their food. The products were sold under multiple brand names, including Kroger, Trader Joe's, Ling Ling, Tai Pei and Ajinomoto.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classified the recall as Class I, its most serious category, indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the affected products could cause serious health consequences or death.
According to the company, the affected frozen foods were produced between October 2024 and February 2026 and distributed to stores nationwide. The products carry best-by dates ranging from Feb. 28, 2026, through Aug. 19, 2027.
The recall initially began on Feb. 19 with about 3.4 million pounds of chicken fried rice products. After further investigation, the company expanded the recall to include an additional 33.6 million pounds of fried rice, ramen and shu mai dumplings, bringing the total to roughly 37 million pounds.
Food safety investigators traced the contamination to carrots used in the manufacturing process. However, officials said the exact cause of how the glass fragments entered the carrots remains unclear.
The agency said there have been no confirmed reports of injuries linked to the recalled products. Still, consumers who may have purchased them are urged not to eat the items and instead discard them or return them to the store where they were bought.
Officials advised consumers to check packaging for establishment numbers P-18356, P-18356B or P-47971 inside the USDA inspection mark to determine if their products are part of the recall. The recalled items were distributed to retailers across the U.S., and some products were also exported to Canada and Mexico.
The FSIS said it is working with distributors and retailers to ensure the affected products are removed from store freezers, but warned that some may still be in consumers' homes.
Glass shards in food can cause severe internal injuries and life-threatening complications
Glass shards, when present in food, are sharp, jagged pieces of broken glass that can pose significant health risks.
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the presence of glass shards in food is a serious concern that can arise from various sources, including improperly sealed glass containers, broken glassware, or contamination during food processing.
They can cause physical injury to the mouth, throat and digestive tract, leading to cuts, lacerations and even internal bleeding. Swallowing fragments of glass can pose serious and potentially life-threatening health risks. Glass is sharp, rigid and does not dissolve in the digestive system. If ingested, the fragments can cut or damage soft tissues as they move through the stomach and intestines.
Larger or jagged pieces may become lodged in the digestive tract, potentially tearing the stomach lining or puncturing the intestinal wall. Such injuries can lead to severe complications, including peritonitis – a dangerous abdominal infection that often requires emergency surgery. In rare cases, glass fragments may also damage blood vessels, causing significant internal bleeding.
The ingestion of glass shards can also lead to the absorption of contaminants from the glass, which may include heavy metals or other toxic substances, further exacerbating health risks.
Watch this video about preventing physical contamination.
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