Consumers nationwide are instructed to check their pantries: Ben’s Original has issued voluntary recalls of certain Ready Rice products after discovering small, naturally occurring stones in limited numbers. As there has been no injury report, the company and the national health authorities recommend caution to prevent oral or gastrointestinal tract injury.
Recall overview
Ben’s Original, in October 10, 2025, voluntarily recalled three Ready Rice items that were released across the United States due to the possible presence of rice field small stones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the recall notice on October 13, detailing the risk that these foreign materials will create if ingested.
Affected products and batch details
The recall is extremely narrow to specific batch codes and best-by dates, all marked on the bottom seal of each package. Only the following products are implicated:
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain White Rice
- Batch codes 533ELGRV22, 534ALGRV22
- Best-by date: 08/2026
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
- Batch codes 534AMGRV22, 534BMGRV22, 534DMGRV22
- Best-by date: 08/2026
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice
- Batch codes 533BMGRV22, 533CLGRV22, 533CMGRV22
- Best-by date: 08/2026.
No other Ben’s Original rice products or Ready Rice items are affected.
Distribution and retailers
August through September 2025, the contaminated batches were distributed to big box stores and wholesalers: H-E-B, Target, Amazon, United Markets, Piggly Wiggly, Associated Grocers, C&S, and Dot Foods. Other stores that purchased through these distributors might have received contaminated stock.
Health risks
The stones found are natural and may have been harvested along with the rice grains. In case they are ingested, these hard beads can be dangerous to the mouth, teeth, or digestive tract. Though no adverse health events have so far been reported, Ben’s Original and the FDA advise avoiding any consumption of rice from the involved batches.
Consumer guidance
Any customer who purchased any of the affected products should:
1. Don’t consume the recalled rice.
2. Locate the batch code and best-by date on the bottom seal of the package to see if their product is included.
3. Call Ben’s Original Consumer Care at 1-800-548-6253 to arrange for a return or refund. Customer service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Standard Time, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST on Saturday and Sunday.
Additional information and assistance can also be accessed on the FDA’s recalls page for Ben’s Original.
Company response and safety commitment
Mars, Inc., Ben’s Original’s parent company, emphasized its dedication to transparency and customer trust. In a statement, the company highlighted this issue is limited to affected batches and does not reflect a large-scale quality problem across its portfolio of products. The company is currently working with retailers to remove affected products from shelves and issue notifications to consumers.
Ben’s Original Ready Rice products were introduced to give quick, microwave convenience without sacrificing taste. The Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild blends have become household staples in pantries of busy families and singles for an easy side dish or base for many meals. The voluntary recall is one of the few safety precautions taken in the last few years, showing the company’s proactive approach to supply chain quality control monitoring.
Even though Ben’s Original Ready Rice has made a reputation for ease and flavor, customers need to be cautious and inspect their pantry stock for the affected lots. Through compliance with the recall guidance, returning affected items, and maintaining themselves informed with authorized sources, families can still enjoy Ben’s Original rice without risk.
