NEW YORK — Trader Joe's recalled a broccoli cheddar soup that may contain insects and cooked falafel that may contain rocks, about a week after the grocery chain recalled two cookie products over similar concerns.
The soup recall impacts Trader Joe's Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup with "Use By" dates ranging from July 18 to Sept. 15, according to a Thursday announcement from the company. On Friday, the grocer announced that Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Falafel sold in 35 states and Washington, D.C., also was recalled.
On July 21, Trader Joe's announced it was recalling Trader Joe's Almond Windmill Cookies and Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies with "sell by" dates ranging from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21. Like the falafel, the cookies may also contain rocks, the company said.
When asked for further information, a Trader Joe's spokesperson said "there was an issue in the manufacturing processes in the facilities." Suppliers alerted Trader Joe's of the possible foreign material for each recall, the company said.
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"We pulled the product from our shelves as soon as we were made aware of the issue. Once we understood the issue we notified our customers," the spokesperson said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Saturday.
Trader Joe's logo hangs atop a mural Aug. 13, 2019, at its market in Cambridge, Mass.
All of the recalled cookies, soup and falafel were removed from sale or destroyed, Trader Joe's said in its announcements. The Monrovia, California-based company urges consumers to check their homes for the products.
Trader Joe's says customers who have the recalled products should throw them away or return them for a full refund. Lot codes and further details about the products under recall, as well as customer service contact information, can be found on the company's website.
Trader Joe's did not specify how many products were impacted or identify suppliers. One Food and Drug Administration notice cited by NBC News said the soup recall impacts about 10,889 cases sold in seven states. Winter Gardens Quality Foods Inc. was identified as the recalling firm, per the notice.
No formal releases about the three recalls were published on the FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page as of Saturday. The Associated Press reached out to the FDA and Winter Gardens Quality Foods for information.
"We don't hesitate or wait for regulatory agencies to tell us what to do," the Trader Joe's spokesperson said. "We will never leave to chance the safety of the products we offer."
These are Trader Joe's customer's favorite items
Top overall
Trader Joe's Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Chili & Lime
Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips, spicy corn chips, swept the competition this year, taking home the top prize. Runners-up included the hash browns, chicken soup dumplings, Everything but the Bagel sesame seasoning blend, and chocolate croissants.
The chips also won in the poll's favorite snack category. Customers were also fans of the Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers, Organic Corn Chip Dippers, World's Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs and Crunchy Curls, which were all among the top vote-getters.
Top beverage
The Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice was the fans' favorite beverage, though it is seasonal. The canned drink is a simple three-ingredient blend of apple juice, water and bubbles.
Following is the Triple Ginger Brew, Sparkling Peach Black Tea with peach juice, Sparkling Cranberry & Ginger Beverage and the Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer.
Top cheese
Trader Joe's Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions
Now that Hall of Famer Unexpected Cheddar is no longer an option in the poll, the store's cheddar cheese with caramelized onions took home top accolades.
Runners-up included Syrah Soaked Toscano, seasonal Baked Lemon Ricotta, Blueberry & Vanilla Chèvre and its various bries.
Top entree
Replacing the longtime Mandarin Orange Chicken is Trader Joe's Butter Chicken -- spiced chicken in a tomato and cream sauce with basmati rice.
Indian is popular with Trader Joe's customers. Second runner-up was Chicken Tikka Masala, followed by Kung Pao Chicken, Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese and BBQ Teriyaki Chicken.
Top household item
Seasonal candles won out in this category. Its seasonal scents include Peony Blossom, Cedar Balsam, Honeycrisp Apple and Vanilla Pumpkin.
Runners-up: Daily Facial Sunscreen, Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Cream, Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner, and Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask.
Top produce
Unsurprisingly, customers voted bananas as their top choice. The chain is known for its 25-cent organic bananas and 19-cent regular bananas. Following choices were Teeny Tiny Avocados, Honeycrisp Apples, Brussels Sprouts and Organic Carrots of Many Colors.
Top dessert
The tiny and crunchy Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones won top dessert, followed by Danish Kringle, Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Lava Cakes and Brookie.
Top vegan/vegetarian
Trader Joe's Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto
Among its many vegan and vegetarian options, the Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto came out on top. Vegetable Fried Rice, Beefless Bulgogi, Palak Paneer, Cauliflower Gnocchi followed.
