Trader Joe’s Rice Recall Hits South Carolina, 42 Other States

The food we eat can become contaminated with foreign objects such as glass. Biting into glass and other objects can cause injuries and infections.

This situation has led to a recall of a popular Trader Joe’s product. The popular grocery store has recalled nearly 10 million pounds of Vegetable Fried Rice from stores across South Carolina and the United States after discovering “glass varying in size from 1 to 3 cm long and 2 to 4 mm wide.”

The recall affects 1-pound bags of Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice. The products have a UPC of 00521482 with best-by dates ranging from February 28 to November 19.

The recall has affected more than 400,000 cases, or about 9.8 million pounds, of the fried rice. It was distributed by Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc., across 43 states.

The fried rice is part of a March 3 recall that includes Chicken Fried Rice, Chicken Shu Ma, and Japanese Style Fried Rice. The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) received multiple complaints of glass in the packages. The source of glass contamination is likely the carrots.

Trader Joe’s took quick action after being made aware of the contamination. The store removes the product from sale “if there is any doubt about its safety or quality.”

Dangers of Glass in Frozen Food

Glass can sometimes be found in frozen foods. Glass can come from broken containers, equipment, or packaging during processing. However, the consistency of these foods may make glass contamination harder to notice because ice crystals can obscure visibility. Frozen textures also make it harder to detect foreign objects before biting.

Finding glass in frozen food is rare but when it happens, it can pose serious health risks. The most immediate danger is injury from sharp fragments. A person can suffer:

• Cuts in the mouth or throat while chewing or swallowing.
• Choking hazards, especially for children or older adults.
• Internal injuries to the esophagus, stomach, or intestines if swallowed.

Even very small shards can cause damage because glass can be jagged and hard to detect. Broken glass can also lead to internal complications. If glass is swallowed, it may lead to serious medical issues such as:

• Internal bleeding.
• Perforation of organs (like the stomach or intestines).
• Infection if a wound develops internally.

These complications may not be immediately obvious and can worsen over time.

Biting into glass can also result in dental damage such as:

• Cracked or chipped teeth.
• Damage to crowns or fillings.
• Painful oral injuries requiring emergency dental care.

Contact Us Today

Food recalls happen often due to contamination. It is easy for food to have bacteria or foreign objects, which can cause illnesses or injuries.

If you or a family member were injured because some product was defective or dangerously unsafe, contact a Columbia products liability lawyer from Simmons Law Firm. We will work to help you recover compensation for your damages. To schedule a consultation today, call (803) 779-4600 or fill out the online form.

Source:

greenvilleonline.com/story/grocery/shopping/2026/03/24/trader-joes-frozen-food-product-recall-march-2026-sc-what-to-know/89303827007/