37 Million Pounds of Ajinomoto Foods Recalled Over Glass as Company Continues Animal Tests: PETA Statement

For Immediate Release:
March 10, 2026

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from PETA Vice President of International Laboratory Methods Shalin Gala regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement that nearly 37 million pounds of food products produced by Japan-based Ajinomoto under the brand names Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei, and Ajinomoto are being recalled after some were found to contain shards of glass: 

Broken glass isn’t the only unwanted ingredient lurking in foods produced and distributed by Ajinomoto, because every morsel contains cruelty to animals. Compassionate consumers should know that the Japan-based company, the world’s largest manufacturer of monosodium glutamate, has tormented thousands of dogs, fish, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, pigs, rabbits, and rats in horrific and deadly experiments since the 1950s. These tests are conducted to make dubious human health claims about food products and are not required by law. PETA urges Ajinomoto to end pointless and deadly tests on animals and adopt state-of-the-art, non‑animal research methods that are safer, ethical, and more reliable.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.