Rocks And Insects Found Inside Groceries—Trader Joe’s Recalls Four Products In One Week

Topline

Trader Joe’s is recalling one of its packaged falafel products because it may contain rocks, an embarrassing announcement that comes the same week the company admitted its broccoli cheddar soup may contain insects some of its cookies may also contain rocks.

Key Facts

What We Don’t Know

In what part of the process these contaminations occurred. The recall notices for all four products explained the company was “alerted by our supplier” of the contamination, suggesting it could’ve occurred at a third-party facility contracted by Trader Joe’s. These were all Trader Joe’s-branded products, though.

Key Background

Food recalls have been on the rise. With 416.9 million food units recalled, 2022 saw a ten-year high in the amount of food recalled, according to an analysis of data from U.S. regulators by risk assessment firm Sedgwick. The most common reason for recalls in 2022 was contamination with foreign materials, like in Trader Joe’s recent recalls. However, according to FoodLogiQ, most of this increase in food recalls is due to increased regulation.

Big Number

700%. That’s how much food product recalls increased from 2021 to 2022. For comparison, consumer product recalls decreased by 45%, pharmaceutical recalls increased by 114% and automotive recalls decreased by 10% by number of units affected over the same period.

Further Reading

Trader Joe’s Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup recalled over insects in product (FoodSafetyNews.com)

Trader Joe’s issues third product recall in a week, says falafel ‘may contain rocks’ (NBC News)

These Trader Joe’s cookies may contain rocks. See the products under recall (The Associated Press)