A nationwide recall has been issued for a limited batch of Ben’s Original Ready Rice products following reports of contamination with small stones. The rice, sold in a variety of forms including Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild Rice, could pose a risk to consumers if ingested. This recall impacts several major retailers across the United States, including Target, HEB, and Amazon, and involves specific batches of the product.
Ben’s Original, a household name in convenience rice, confirmed that the stones, which originated from the rice farm, could lead to oral or digestive tract injuries. This recall affects a small segment of products and follows the company’s commitment to transparency in protecting its customers. The company has acted swiftly to remove the affected products from shelves and notify consumers.
Specific Batches and Retailers Affected
According to the company’s official announcement, the recall pertains to specific batches of Ready Rice sold between August and September. The affected varieties include Long Grain White Rice, Whole Grain Brown Rice, and Long Grain & Wild Rice. Batch codes and best-before dates can be found on the bottom seal of the product packaging, with detailed information listed on the company’s website. The batch codes for these affected products are as follows:
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain White Rice
- Batch codes: 533ELGRV22, 534ALGRV22
- Best before date: 8/2026
- Notably, 534ALGRV22 was sold at HEB.
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
- Batch codes: 534AMGRV22, 534BMGRV22, 534DMGRV22
- Best before date: 8/2026
- 534AMGRV22 was sold at Target, while 534DMGRV22 was available at HEB.
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice
- Batch codes: 533BMGRV22, 533CLGRV22, 533CMGRV22
- Best before date: 8/2026
- 533CLGRV22 was sold at United Markets, while 533CMGRV22 was sold at HEB, Amazon, and Piggly Wiggly.
Consumers who have purchased affected products are encouraged to check the batch codes and best-before dates, which are printed on the back seal of each package. The company has assured that this issue is limited to these specific batches and that other Ben’s Original products remain unaffected.
Steps for Consumers to Take
For consumers with any of the recalled rice products, Ben’s Original offers a straightforward return process. The company has set up a consumer care hotline at 1-800-548-6253, available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST and Saturday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST. Refunds or replacements are available for affected customers.
The recall serves as a reminder for shoppers to remain vigilant about product safety, especially with packaged food items that are sold across numerous retailers. Ben’s Original has pledged to continue working with distributors to ensure that all impacted products are promptly removed from shelves.
