Fresh News

4 active recalls affecting California stores

URGENT: 47 Million Lbs of TJ's Frozen Rice & Dumplings Recalled for Glass

Check your freezer NOW. Ajinomoto Foods recalled 47 million pounds of frozen food including 4 Trader Joe's products after glass shards up to 3cm were found. Affected: Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Japanese Style Fried Rice, and Chicken Shu Mai. Do not eat — return to any TJ's for a full refund, no receipt needed.

Raw Farm Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese Recalled in California

Raw Farm LLC issued a voluntary recall of its Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese products distributed in California due to potential contamination risk. Raw milk products carry elevated food safety risks. If you purchased Raw Farm cheddar recently, check CDPH's recall list for affected lot numbers and dispose of or return the product.

Smoked Trout Dip Recalled for Undeclared Milk Allergen

Riverence Smoked Trout Dip (7oz plastic tubs) recalled after FDA found undeclared milk protein not listed on the label. Distributed to California, New York, Oregon, Texas and 4 other states. Check your fridge and discard or return for refund.

Undeclared Sesame Allergen in Marinated Beef & Pork Products

USDA issued a public health alert for Sky Ranch Premium Provisions marinated beef and pork (ribeye bulgogi, pork tenderized butt, LA-style short ribs) due to undeclared sesame. Sell-by dates through April 16, 2026. Sold at H Mart and Asian grocery stores across California.

Tejocote Root Supplements Warning — Toxic Yellow Oleander Substitution

FDA is warning consumers about certain Tejocote Root supplements that have been found to contain toxic Yellow Oleander instead of actual tejocote root. Yellow Oleander is poisonous and has caused serious illness. These supplements are sold at some Latin grocery stores and online. Do not consume — dispose immediately.

Ground Cinnamon Products Still Under Heavy Metal Alert

FDA's public health alert for elevated lead levels in ground cinnamon remains active. Multiple brands affected — the list has expanded since the original alert. Check the FDA website for your specific brand and lot number. Sprouts and Whole Foods have removed affected products.

Frozen Oysters from Washington State Recalled for Norovirus Risk

FDA advised consumers not to eat shellfish harvested from Hammersley Inlet, WA due to potential Norovirus contamination. Products distributed nationally including to California seafood counters. Whole Foods and Safeway seafood departments have been notified.

TJ's May Drops: Korean Corn Dogs, Detroit-Style Pizza & Lemon Tiramisu

Trader Joe's May lineup is loaded. Standouts include Korean Corn Dogs in the freezer aisle, a new Detroit-Style Pizza, Lemon Tiramisu (limited time), Potato Cheese Sticks, and Turkish Gözleme stuffed flatbreads with three cheeses. Also new: Cookies & Creme Cookie Mix and BBQ Flavored Potato Chips. Many are limited time — grab them fast.

TJ's April Hits: Ranch Tortilla Chips, Salted Caramel Mochi & More

April's TJ's wave included Ranch Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, Salted Caramel Mochi Ice Cream ($4.99 for 6), Single Origin Kilimanjaro Instant Coffee ($4.99 for 10 packets), Salted Almond Honey Granola ($3.99), and Sugar Cookie Dough Flowers. The ranch chips have become an instant fan favorite.

Passion Fruit Meringue Tartelettes Are Back — Limited Time

The fan-favorite Passion Fruit Meringue Tartelettes returned to TJ's shelves at $5.49 for two. They typically sell out fast. Also new this month: Dark Chocolate Bark with Puffed Quinoa and Dried Raspberries ($5.49), Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites ($4.79 for 12), and Pizza Bianca with creamy parmesan sauce and rosemary ($4.99).

TJ's Adds Vanilla Soy Beverage at Just $2.49 for 32oz

Trader Joe's launched a shelf-stable Vanilla Soy Beverage with 9g protein per cup — one of the highest-protein plant milks at that price point in California. At $2.49/32oz it undercuts Silk and Oatly significantly. Available at all locations.

New TJ's Onion Flowers Are Vegan and Already a Hit

Trader Joe's new Onion Flowers — onions cut into a flower pattern, dipped in a seasoned batter, and fried — are flying off shelves. They're vegan, which TJ's fans on Reddit are especially excited about. Also new: Stuffed Poblano Peppers ($6.99) and Reduced Sodium Italian Dry Uncured Salami with 49% less sodium.

Whole Foods Expands Hot Honey Category with 4 New Brands

Whole Foods added Mike's Hot Honey Sriracha Blend, TBH Hot Honey, Bushwick Kitchen Bees Knees Spicy Honey, and a 365 Organic Hot Honey across California locations. Prices range from $7.99 to $14.99. The 365 version at $7.99 is the value pick.

Sprouts Launches Exclusive Spring Wellness Line with 20+ New SKUs

Sprouts' private label expanded this month with new organic protein bars, adaptogen-infused teas, and a greens powder featuring ashwagandha and lion's mane. All exclusive to Sprouts and priced 25–40% below comparable national brands. Available at all California Sprouts locations.

Berkeley Bowl Now Stocking Local Rancho Gordo Heirloom Beans

Berkeley Bowl partnered with Napa-based Rancho Gordo to carry their heirloom dried bean varieties in-store — including cult-favorites Midnight Black, Yellow Eye, and Royal Corona. Previously only available online. Priced $7.99–$8.99/lb in the specialty aisle.

Erewhon Introduces Probiotic Soda Line — Starting at $6.99

Erewhon has launched an in-house probiotic soda line with flavors including Ginger Lemon, Hibiscus Berry, and Yuzu Mint. Each 12oz can contains 1 billion CFU of live cultures, organic cane sugar, and no artificial flavors. It's less sweet than most kombuchas — more like a sparkling health tonic. Available only at Erewhon locations.

99 Ranch Now Carrying Organic Heirloom Rice Varieties from Taiwan

99 Ranch has started stocking premium organic heirloom rice varieties imported from Taiwan — including Tainan No. 11 short-grain and Taichung Purple Rice. Priced at $12.99–$16.99 for 2.2lb bags. If you care about rice quality the way serious Japanese and Taiwanese home cooks do, these are worth the price.

Stone Fruit Season Starts Now — Cherries, Apricots & Nectarines Are Here

California stone fruit season has officially arrived. Berkeley Bowl has Bing cherries from the San Joaquin Valley for $4.99/lb, Blenheim apricots — the best eating apricot grown in California — for $3.99/lb, and early white nectarines for $2.99/lb. Blenheims have a 3-week window. Don't wait.

California Strawberry Season Is Officially Here

April–May is peak California strawberry season. Whole Foods has Driscoll's organic 1lb clamshells for $4.99. Berkeley Bowl has local Watsonville strawberries for $3.49/lb. For the best flavor, look for varieties labeled 'Seascape' or 'Albion' — both are far superior to the large supermarket varieties.

April Produce at Berkeley Bowl: Artichokes, Fava Beans & English Peas

Peak spring at Berkeley Bowl right now. California artichokes from Castroville are $1.49 each. Fresh fava beans are $2.99/lb. English peas in their pods are back at $3.49/lb. These are all 4–6 week seasonal windows — don't wait.

Spring Asparagus at Peak — Buy It Now

Asparagus hits peak season in April–May in California. Sprouts has California-grown organic asparagus bunches for $3.99 this week. Whole Foods has it at $4.49. Roast with olive oil and Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning. Season typically ends by mid-June.

Meyer Lemons Wrapping Up — Last Call Before Next Winter

Meyer lemon season peaks January–April in California. Berkeley Bowl still has local Meyers at $2.49/lb — sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons with a thin edible rind. Once they're gone you'll wait until next winter. Good for lemon curd, salad dressings, and cocktails.

Morel Mushrooms Are Back for 3 Weeks Only

Morel mushrooms — the most prized spring fungi — are on shelves at select Whole Foods in SF and the East Bay through mid-May. At $39.99/lb they're not cheap but there's nothing else like them. Dry-sauté in butter with thyme and finish with a splash of white wine. Available while supplies last.

Rhubarb Is Back — One of Spring's Most Underrated Ingredients

Fresh rhubarb is back at Berkeley Bowl at $2.99/lb. Most people only know it in pie, but rhubarb shines in savory applications too — braised with pork, in a quick jam with ginger, or as a compote over Greek yogurt. Season runs through June. Don't sleep on it.

Sprouts Opening First San Francisco Location at 555 9th St in SoMa

Sprouts Farmers Market is opening its first-ever San Francisco store at 555 9th Street in SoMa, next to the existing Trader Joe's. Confirmed for 2028. This brings Sprouts' natural grocery model — known for affordable organic produce and a large bulk section — to SF residents for the first time.

New Sprouts Now Open in Pittsburg, CA — East Bay Expansion Continues

Sprouts opened a new East Bay location in Pittsburg last month with grand opening celebrations. The store features Sprouts' signature open layout with organic produce at the center. This is the third new Bay Area Sprouts to open in the last 18 months as the chain aggressively expands in Northern California.

Whole Foods Prime Member Deals Expand — Supplements Now Included

Amazon Prime members now get an extra 10% off the already-sale price on supplements and protein powders at Whole Foods — previously excluded categories. Applies at all California locations. The expanded benefit is worth checking before you shop, especially on higher-priced items like omega-3s and collagen.

Trader Joe's Lawsuit Settlement — Affected Customers May Receive Checks

A Trader Joe's lawsuit settlement has been reached, and affected customers who submit valid claims can expect to receive checks in the coming months. The settlement relates to product labeling claims. Details on eligibility and how to file a claim are available through the settlement administrator's website.

New PIRG Report: FDA Issuing Fewer Food Recalls — What It Means

A new report from US PIRG found that federal food recalls are being announced less frequently and less promptly. The group recommends signing up for FDA email alerts and checking recall databases regularly. The report also criticizes a lack of direct consumer notification when contaminated products are found at specific stores.

Safeway Just for U App Updated with Better Personalized Deals

Safeway's Just for U loyalty program was updated to use purchase history more aggressively for personalized coupons. Heavy produce buyers are seeing organic discounts. Frequent snack buyers get snack coupons. If your deals have felt stale, log out and back in — some users are seeing 20–30% better coupon relevance after the refresh.

Erewhon's Tonic Bar Goes Nationwide — But at What Cost?

Erewhon has announced plans to expand its cult-status Tonic Bar concept to new locations outside California, including New York and Austin. The $18–$24 adaptogenic lattes that made the LA store famous will be available at partner locations. For context: a 16oz Erewhon tonic costs more than most people's entire lunch.

Berkeley Bowl West Café Launches New Rotating Pop-Up Vendor Program

Berkeley Bowl West's café is launching a rotating pop-up vendor program, inviting Bay Area food businesses to take over the kitchen for 1-2 days at a time. Expect everything from Bay Area BBQ to Indonesian street food to Japanese onigiri. Check Berkeley Bowl's website for the pop-up schedule.

Grocery Outlet Expanding in Bay Area — 3 New Locations Planned

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market has announced plans for 3 new Bay Area locations, continuing its rapid California expansion. Known for deeply discounted organic and natural products — often 30–50% below regular grocery prices — Grocery Outlet has become a serious option for budget-conscious health shoppers who don't mind variable selection.