Another Trader Joe's product recall this summer is due to health and safety concerns. Cookie rocks and broccoli soup insect infestations have been found.
Trader Joe's locations in nine states are recalling one lot of Texas Tamale Company Gourmet Black Bean Tamales due to undisclosed milk content.
Texas Tamale Company told the FDA that a "temporary lapse" in assembly turned its Hatch Green Chile and Cheese Tamales into Black Bean Tamales.
Due to the nutritional and allergen information on the cloth bag rather than the product packaging, 1,632 mislabeled units were sent without cheese content.
The recalled products were distributed only to Trader Joe's in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Customer can identify mislabeled tamales by "best before" date of June 19, 2025 and lot number 17023 on the internal plastic container.
After the rock-laden windmill cookies and insect-infested broccoli soup, Trader Joe's recalled more potential rocks in their frozen Fully Cooked Falafel on July 28 and metal in their Multigrain Crackers with Sunflower and Flax Seeds on August 17.
Two frozen fruit recalls (Hepatitis A in March and Listeria in June), pesto and instant cold brew recalls in early and late May, and an undeclared allergy chicken salad recall in March have occurred.
Some of Trader Joe's items have been recalled, but most of the issues were generated and notified by external manufacturers or suppliers. However, this recall tendency may indicate a brand-wide issue.
TJ's "blend of global and local foods made by small-batch producers" may raise the risk of faulty items, according to a public food and health safety expert.
Customers can only hope that Trader Joe's maintains and upgrades its stringent product review procedure to protect consumer safety as the brand goes nationwide and increases its inventory.