Trader Joe’s is in the hot seat this week, with a whopping 4 products being recalled in just the last few days—and you won’t believe the reasons these items are being taken off of store shelves!
One frozen product and two different cookie products were recalled last week because, shockingly, they may contain rocks in them. Then, later in the week, one of the stores fan-favorite soups was also recalled…horrifyingly because it could possibly contain insects. Yikes!
Keep on scrolling for a list of the recalled products, more information about the recalls, and how to tell if your Trader Joe’s items may have been affected.
Recalled: Trader Joe's Almond Windmill Cookies And Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Chunk & Almond Cookies
Trader Joe's announced on July 21st that two of their brand-name products, Trader Joe's Almond Windmill Cookies and the store's Dark Chocolate Chunk & Almond Cookies, were immediately being pulled from shelves and "destroyed" due to the possibility that the two products may contain rocks. Yep, you read that right—rocks.
The retailer wrote on their website's recall notice, "We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe’s Almond Windmill Cookies (SKU# 98744) and Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies (SKU# 82752) that product with the below SELL BY date codes may contain rocks:
- Almond Windmill Cookies: SELL BY 10/02/23 and 10/19/23 through 10/21/23
- Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies: SELL BY 10/17/23 through 10/21/23"
Trader Joe's did not initially specify how the rocks may have contaminated the cookies, and had declined to comment further on the situation when contacted by the Associated Press last week. Instead, the chain implored shoppers with the affected cookies to dispose of their packages immediately or return to the store for a full refund.
However, a Trader Joe's rep did end up eventually speaking to New York Post about the recalls, saying, "There was an issue in the manufacturing processes. We don’t hesitate or wait for regulatory agencies to tell us what to do. We will never leave to chance the safety of the products we offer." Kudos to TJ's on that!
Recalled: Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Falafel
The brand's frozen premade falafels were also recalled, also for the "possible rock contamination". Their supplier—ostensibly the same that makes the affected cookies above—notified them last week that the Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Falafel product may also contain rocks. Trader Joe's wrote in their July 28th recall notice, "We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe’s Fully Cooked Falafel (SKU# 93935) that the product — sold only in AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, Washington DC, and WI stores — may contain rocks."
Customers are urged to discard any affected product or return it to the retailer for a full refund. Fans are already blowing up social media speculating about the recent recalls, with one cheekily writing, "Trader Joe’s second rocks-in-the-food recall of the week pulls falafel from 35 states. On the upside it’s high in minerals."
Recalled: Trader Joe's Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Last but not least, Trader Joe's Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup, available in the refrigerated section, was also recalled on July 27th. The website notice was similar to the others: "We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe’s Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup (SKU# 68470) that product with Use By dates 07/18/23 – 09/15/23 may contain insects." Ugh! No other details were given either in the notice or to the media.
Trader Joe's also added that no known adverse health affects have yet been reported, and again asked customers to please throw out any affected soup or return for a refund.
For questions about any or all of these recalls, shoppers can contact Trader Joe's Customer Relations at 626-599-3817 Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST or send an email via their product feedback page.
