Consumer Reports Ignite the Recall (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Portland, Oregon – Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. broadened its recall of frozen chicken and pork entrees to 36,987,575 pounds following consumer reports of glass fragments in products.[1][2]
Consumer Reports Ignite the Recall
The process began when the company received four complaints about glass in frozen not-ready-to-eat chicken fried rice. FSIS learned of the issue after the establishment reported these incidents. Officials classified the problem as adulteration due to possible foreign material.
On February 19, 2026, Ajinomoto initiated a recall of about 3.37 million pounds of two specific items. The affected products carried establishment number P-18356. No confirmed injuries occurred at that stage.[1]
Scope Widens Dramatically
By March 3, 2026, the recall grew substantially. Ajinomoto added roughly 33.6 million pounds of ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat chicken and pork fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumplings. This brought the total to nearly 37 million pounds.
A further update on March 9 clarified that products with specific lot codes qualified for recall regardless of best-by dates. Production spanned from late 2024 into early 2026. The expansion reflected ongoing investigations into potential contamination sources.[1][2]
Brands and Products Involved
Several popular frozen food lines fell under the recall. Consumers might recognize items from major retailers. The list includes varieties of fried rice, ramen, and dumplings.
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice (20-oz. bags, best by dates from March 2026 to February 2027)
- Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice (various packaging, including cans and bags)
- Kroger Chinese Inspirations Chicken Fried Rice (22-oz. packages)
- Ling Ling Restaurant Style Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice and Tokyo-Style Ramen (shoyu and tonkotsu chicken flavors)
- Tai Pei Chicken Fried Rice and Ultimate Fried Rice
- Ajinomoto own-brand items like Kurobuta Pork Fried Rice and Shoyu Chicken Ramen
Full details, including hundreds of UPC codes, best-by dates, and lot codes like P18356 or P47971, appear in the official product list PDF.[2]
Distribution Reaches Across Borders
Products distributed to Trader Joe’s stores nationwide. Other items reached Kroger locations and additional retailers. Some Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice went to Canada.
Best-by dates range from early 2026 through mid-2027. Establishment marks include P-18356 inside the USDA inspection stamp. FSIS emphasized nationwide availability for most items.[1]
Steps for Consumers
Officials urged people not to consume these products. Customers should discard them or return to the purchase point. Checking packaging for matching details prevents risk.
No illnesses linked to the products so far. Yet the volume underscores caution with frozen entrees. View labels and more at the FSIS recall page.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Total recalled: 36,987,575 pounds across 16+ product varieties.
- Reason: Possible glass from manufacturing; triggered by four complaints.
- Action: Do not eat – trash or return; check your freezer now.
This recall highlights vigilance in food safety chains. Freezer staples turned potential hazards remind everyone to stay informed. Have you checked your frozen meals? Tell us in the comments.
