The "Best By" dates stretch into 2026, and officials say you should check these rice packages for a "foreign body contaminant."
When making daily decisions on which carbs are best for our bodies, experts at Harvard Health says both brown and white rice can good options—though, if you’re looking for maximum nutrients, they say brown is the way to go. But one popular rice brand’s products, available nationwide, could potentially include a “foreign body contaminant,” according to a new warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In an announcement released Tuesday afternoon, the FDA says Ben’s Original is voluntarily recalling “a limited number” of Ben’s Original Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild Ready Rice products in the U.S. The “possible presence of small, naturally occurring stones originating from the rice farm” is the listed recalling reason.
Though no injuries or illnesses have been reported as of press time, the FDA is concerned that the small stones could “pose possible risk of oral or digestive tract injury if consumed.”
The recalled rice was reportedly distributed to at least five retailers: HEB, Target, United Markets, Amazon, and Piggly Wiggly. However, the FDA also states that “Impacted retailers are not limited to those listed below as additional retailers may have purchased products distributed by Associated Grocers, C&S, and Dot Foods from August through September.”
Ben’s Original was previously known as Uncle Ben’s, but parent company Mars announced an incoming name change in June 2020 shortly after Quaker Oats revealed it would be retiring the Aunt Jemima brand and logo, according to a CNN report. The Ben’s Original rebranding was a way “to signal our ambition to create a more inclusive future while maintaining our commitment to producing the world’s best rice,” per the company website.
Provided product details include:
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain White Rice
- Batch Codes: 533ELGRV22, 534ALGRV22
- Best By Date: 8/2026
- Retailer: HEB
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
- Batch Codes: 534AMGRV22, 534BMGRV22
- Best By Date: 8/2026
- Retailer: Target
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
- Batch Code: 534DMGRV22
- Best By Date: 8/2026
- Retailer: HEB
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice
- Batch Codes: 533BMGRV22, 533CLGRV22
- Best By Date: 8/2026
- Retailer: United Markets
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice
- Batch Code: 533CMGRV22
- Best By Date: 8/2026
- Retailers: HEB, Amazon, Piggly Wiggly
The batch codes and Best By dates can both be found on the back of the rice packages at the bottom seal. Per the notice, no other Ben’s Original products are being recalled, calling it “an isolated issue limited to these batches.”
The FDA advises not consuming any of the affected rice. For consumers interested in returning the products, the agency’s alert offers the following remedy: Contact Ben’s Original Consumer Care to initiate a return and to address any questions at 1-800-548-6253 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) Saturday and Sunday.
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