Massive Food Safety Alert: Major Recalls Impact Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Seafood Markets Nationwide

The month of February 2026 has become a significant period of concern for American consumers, as a series of major food safety recalls have converged to impact some of the nation’s largest retailers and most popular food items. From frozen dinner staples to luxury seafood, federal regulators have issued urgent warnings regarding physical contaminants and viral outbreaks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently overseeing recalls involving millions of pounds of frozen chicken fried rice, nearly 10,000 pounds of frozen meatballs, and an expanding warning regarding raw oysters.

While each recall stems from a different source and poses a unique health risk, the timing and scale of these notices serve as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the modern food supply chain. Consumers are being urged to immediately check their freezers and refrigerators for the affected products, as many have long shelf lives and may remain in homes for months if not identified.

Metal Fragment Contamination in Aldi Meatballs

The most recent alert involves a nationwide recall of approximately 9,462 pounds of ready-to-eat frozen meatballs sold exclusively at Aldi supermarket locations. On February 22, 2026, the FSIS announced that Rosina Food Products, Inc., based in West Seneca, New York, is recalling its “Bremer Family Size Italian Style Meatballs” due to potential contamination with foreign material—specifically metal fragments.

The issue was brought to light after a consumer reported finding metal pieces inside the product. The affected 32-ounce bags were produced on July 30, 2025, but because they are frozen, they carry a 15-month shelf life that extends well into late 2026. The specific products to look for are labeled “Bremer FAMILY SIZE ITALIAN STYLE MEATBALLS” with a “Best By” date of October 30, 2026, and timestamps between 17:08 and 18:20.

Federal officials have classified this as a Class I recall, the most serious category, indicating a reasonable probability that consumption could cause serious health consequences. While no injuries have been confirmed yet, the FSIS is concerned that shoppers who stocked up on these frozen staples may still have them in their freezers.

Glass Contamination in Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice

Simultaneously, a massive recall is underway for one of Trader Joe’s most popular frozen items. Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. has recalled a staggering 3,370,530 pounds of frozen chicken fried rice products because they may contain pieces of glass.

The recall, announced on February 19, includes 20-ounce plastic bags of “Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice” sold at retail locations nationwide. Similar to the meatball recall, this problem was identified following multiple consumer complaints—four in total—of glass fragments found in the food. The affected bags have “Best By” dates ranging from September 8, 2026, through November 17, 2026.

For those who shop outside of Trader Joe’s, the recall also impacts “Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice” sold in Canada. Regulators warn that ingesting glass can lead to severe internal injuries, including mouth and throat lacerations or intestinal perforation. As with the Aldi recall, consumers are advised not to take any chances: if you have the product, return it to the store for a full refund or dispose of it immediately.

Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Canadian Oysters

Beyond physical contaminants, the FDA has expanded a public health warning regarding raw oysters harvested from British Columbia, Canada, due to a norovirus outbreak. The warning, which was updated on February 18, 2026, now encompasses all raw oysters harvested by Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. between December 22, 2025, and February 4, 2026.

This alert follows reports of “norovirus-like” illnesses in multiple states, including Washington and California. The affected oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in at least ten states: California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. The brands involved include Kusshi, Chrome Point, Stellar Bay, and Stellar Bay Gold.

Norovirus is highly contagious and causes gastroenteritis, characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The FDA warns that contaminated oysters may look, smell, and taste completely normal. Because the virus can survive the light steaming often used for shellfish, officials are advising consumers to avoid these specific batches entirely. Restaurants and retailers have also been told to sanitize any surfaces or utensils that may have come into contact with the oysters to prevent cross-contamination.

The Growing Challenge of Food Safety

The convergence of these three recalls highlights the critical role of consumer vigilance. In the cases of the meatballs and fried rice, the “best by” dates are nearly a year away, meaning the hazard could persist in a consumer’s home long after the news cycle has moved on.

“Food safety is a shared responsibility,” noted food safety experts following the announcements. “While manufacturers and regulators work to catch these issues, the final line of defense is often the consumer checking their own pantry and freezer against these public notices.”

For those who believe they may have consumed any of the recalled products and are experiencing unusual symptoms—whether physical injury from foreign objects or illness from norovirus—medical professionals urge immediate consultation with a healthcare provider.

Summary of Recalled Products:

• Aldi Meatballs: 32-oz bags of “Bremer Family Size Italian Style Meatballs.” Look for Best By 10/30/26 and timestamps 17:08–18:20. (Risk: Metal)
• Trader Joe’s Fried Rice: 20-oz bags of “Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice.” Look for Best By dates between 9/8/26 and 11/17/26. (Risk: Glass)
• Stellar Bay Oysters: Raw oysters from British Columbia (Area BC 17-20) harvested between Dec 22, 2025, and Feb 4, 2026. (Risk: Norovirus)

Retailers for all three products are offering full refunds for returned items. For more information, consumers can visit the FSIS and FDA websites for the most up-to-date retail distribution lists and safety instructions.