A California-based rice producer, Lundberg Family Farms, has widened a recall of its white jasmine rice this week. The action now involves over 27,000 packages sold across the country, including at Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods locations in New York City.
The recall was first limited to a smaller batch but was expanded after additional concerns were raised by food safety officials. The affected products are packaged white jasmine rice, with specific lot numbers distributed in recent weeks. New York shoppers who purchased white jasmine rice at major supermarkets since mid-August are being asked to review packaging for recall details.
The reason for the recall has not been fully detailed in public statements, but store managers at multiple Manhattan locations have posted warning signs near the rice aisles since Friday. Customers are being advised to return any affected products to the store for a full refund.
The New York State Department of Agriculture said it has not received reports of illness linked to the rice as of Sunday morning. Officials are still urging caution, especially for shoppers who may have purchased rice between August and early September. For questions about specific packages, Lundberg Family Farms has set up a customer hotline and posted information on their website.
This is the second time this season that a major packaged food recall has affected area supermarkets. City health inspectors noted that most stores have already pulled the flagged rice from their shelves by Saturday afternoon.