Most people think rice is one of the safest foods around. After all, it’s just a simple grain that sits quietly in pantries across America, ready to become dinner at a moment’s notice. But over the years, some rice recalls have been so serious they made headlines nationwide and left families wondering what was safe to eat. From dangerous bacteria hiding in baby food to glass fragments mixed with dinner, these recalls show that even the most basic foods can pose unexpected risks.
NatureMills rice products contained hidden allergens
Imagine opening a package of rice mix for dinner, only to discover it contains ingredients that could trigger a severe allergic reaction. That’s exactly what happened with NatureMills products in 2025. The company recalled thousands of rice mixes because they contained milk, wheat, and sesame without listing these allergens on the packaging. For someone with food allergies, this kind of mistake could mean a trip to the emergency room or worse.
The FDA issued a Class II risk warning, meaning the products could cause serious health problems. More than 6,700 units of various rice mixes were affected, including Dal Garlic Rice Mix and Sesame Rice Mix. The problem started with a packaging error, but it shows how one small mistake in a factory can put thousands of families at risk. Anyone who bought these products between December 2023 and May 2025 was told to throw them away immediately.
Rodents contaminated Lundberg Family Farms wild rice
Wild rice is supposed to be a healthy, natural choice for dinner. But in 2024, Lundberg Family Farms had to recall their Wild Blend Gourmet Rice because it was contaminated with something no one wants to find in their food – evidence of rodents. The contamination was discovered during routine testing, and it affected rice that had been shipped to major stores like Amazon and Walmart across seven states.
Rodents can carry dangerous bacteria that cause food poisoning, making this recall particularly concerning. About 4,600 cases of the contaminated rice were distributed before the problem was caught. The recall shows how even well-known, trusted brands can have serious contamination issues. Food safety experts say rodent problems affect 83% of food manufacturing facilities at some point, making this a widespread concern across the industry.
Freshness Guaranteed chicken fried rice harbored deadly listeria
Chicken fried rice from the freezer section seems like a safe, convenient meal option. But in 2023, nearly 14,000 pounds of Freshness Guaranteed chicken fried rice had to be pulled from stores because it contained listeria bacteria. This wasn’t just any contamination – listeria can be deadly, especially for pregnant women, elderly people, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
What makes listeria particularly scary is that it has no smell or taste, so there’s no way to tell if food is contaminated just by looking at it. The USDA discovered the problem during routine testing, not because anyone got sick. Symptoms can take up to two months to appear after eating contaminated food, which means people might not even realize they’re at risk until it’s too late. Fortunately, no illnesses were reported from this specific recall.
Target’s jasmine rice was crawling with insects
Opening a bag of rice and finding bugs inside is every home cook’s nightmare. In 2023, Target had to recall more than 17,000 bags of its Good & Gather organic jasmine rice because they were infested with rice weevils. These tiny insects can get into rice during processing or storage, and once they’re in there, they multiply quickly and spread throughout the entire batch.
Rice weevils don’t pose a health risk if accidentally eaten, but finding bugs in food is disgusting and ruins the entire product. The recall affected 27 Target distribution centers nationwide, making it one of the largest food recalls in the store’s history. Weevils are actually a common problem with stored grains, which is why many people keep rice in sealed containers. This recall reminded shoppers that even sealed packages from major retailers aren’t immune to insect problems.
MSI Express soup mix hid dangerous milk allergens
Restaurant and cafeteria diners trust that their meals are properly labeled, especially when it comes to allergens. But in 2022, MSI Express had to recall more than 16,000 pounds of chicken and rice soup mix because it contained milk that wasn’t listed on the ingredients. The soup was served in restaurants, fast food chains, cafeterias, and stadiums across the United States and Canada.
Milk allergies are the most common food allergy in young children, and reactions can be severe. The company discovered the problem when their finished soup tested positive for dairy, even though milk wasn’t supposed to be in the recipe. It turned out that a supplier had sent the wrong ingredient, showing how mistakes in the supply chain can create dangerous situations. Anyone with a milk allergy who ate this soup could have faced a life-threatening reaction.
Factor 75 risotto contained sharp glass pieces
Meal delivery services are supposed to make eating easier and safer, not more dangerous. But in 2022, Factor 75 had to recall more than 133,000 pounds of risotto meals because they might contain glass fragments. The glass was found in the arborio rice used to make the risotto, turning what should have been a convenient dinner into a potential trip to the emergency room.
Swallowing glass can cause serious injuries to the mouth, throat, and digestive system. Even small pieces can cut gums and damage teeth. Factor 75 issued a Class II recall and gave customers $5 credits, though some people received full refunds when they contacted the company directly. The incident showed that even premium meal delivery services aren’t immune to serious contamination problems that can put customers at risk.
Baby rice cereal from Walmart exceeded arsenic limits
Parents trust that baby food meets the highest safety standards, so it’s particularly disturbing when recalls involve products meant for infants. In 2021, Walmart had to pull Parent’s Choice rice cereal from shelves nationwide because it contained too much arsenic. Three lots of the 8-ounce packages were recalled after FDA testing found arsenic levels that exceeded federal guidelines.
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and water, which means it can show up in rice and other foods. But high levels or long-term exposure can cause serious health problems, especially in babies whose bodies are still developing. The FDA limit for arsenic in baby food is strict – 100 micrograms per kilogram – but even that level concerns many parents and health experts who want exposure to be as close to zero as possible.
Beech-Nut stopped making rice cereal entirely
Sometimes a recall is so serious that a company decides to stop making a product entirely. That’s what happened with Beech-Nut baby food in 2021. After discovering that one batch of their single-grain rice cereal exceeded arsenic limits, the company recalled the affected products and then made a dramatic decision – they stopped selling rice cereal completely.
The problem was discovered during routine testing in Alaska, and it affected cereal with specific expiration dates. Even though the rice flour used to make the cereal initially tested within acceptable limits, something went wrong during processing that caused arsenic levels to spike in the finished product. Beech-Nut decided they couldn’t guarantee consistently safe arsenic levels in their rice cereal, so they pulled the entire product line rather than risk another recall.
Plastic chunks ruined Ajinomoto chicken fried rice
Finding plastic in food is every consumer’s nightmare, and that’s exactly what happened with Ajinomoto Foods chicken fried rice in 2019. The company had to recall more than 170,000 pounds of yakitori chicken with Japanese-style fried rice because it was contaminated with plastic pieces. Customers started calling to complain about finding plastic in their meals, which prompted the massive recall.
Plastic contamination can cause choking, dental damage, and injuries to the digestive tract as it moves through the body. The contaminated rice had been shipped to states across the country, including Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. This recall earned a Class II classification, meaning it could cause temporary health problems. Customers were told to either throw away the product or return it to the store for a refund.
These rice recalls show that even simple, everyday foods can hide serious dangers. From deadly bacteria to sharp glass fragments, contamination can happen at any point from farm to table. The good news is that government testing and company quality control catch most problems before they cause widespread illness, but these incidents remind us all to stay alert for recall notices and take them seriously when they occur.
