The Actual Companies Behind 16 Trader Joe's Items

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Trader Joe's is known for its great prices, and part of how it keeps those prices down is by working with other big brands or manufacturers, sometimes exclusively. When it sells things as a private label, it's able to keep costs down due to the packaging. Often, the grocery chain does make small changes to recipes when working with other brands, which accounts for some of the differences in taste. By selectively choosing to acquire foods and label them privately, the company is curating an experience for its customers.

Trader Joe's is very secretive about who it works with, and one of the main ways that these secrets are revealed is when there are recalls, which can make the whole thing seem rather ... unsavory. But it's important to remember that these recalls are over and done. Also, note that some of the foods on this list are seasonal or no longer sold by Trader Joe's. We've still included them because it's highly likely that Trader Joe's may still work with that manufacturer.

A 2018 recall of Trader Jose's Mexicali Inspired Salad with Chili Seasoned Chicken and Mary's Harvest Southwest Chicken Wrap with Rib Meat confirmed McCain as one of its corn suppliers. This recall concerned possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria contamination. Shortly after the initial recall, it was expanded to include meat and other vegetables processed at the company's Colton, California plant, totaling 755.5 tons of food. The most dangerous foods were likely those sold as ready-to-eat because properly cooking raw foods should kill Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, according to the CDC. If not cooked, raw fruits and vegetables should be properly washed prior to consumption.

It is unclear exactly which other products McCain has produced — or still may make — for Trader Joe's; however, McCain is a huge, multinational company. For perspective, this Canadian brand employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. And it boasts that 25% of the world's french fries are McCain fries (and that's just the potatoes!).

A food recall in 2016 confirmed that this brand supplies veggies for Trader Joe's. The possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in Trader Joe's Organic Super Sweet Corn caused it to be pulled from shelves. The recall also affected selected mixed vegetables and corn from Watts Brothers Farms. Even still, no one fell ill, which is good considering about 260 people in the United States die from the Listeria virus yearly. Those most seriously at risk are pregnant, newborns, immuno-compromised, or 65 and over. Symptoms vary based on whether you are pregnant but generally include fever, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. 

For those interested, Trader Joe's still sells its Organic Super Sweet Corn, and it's a sweet deal at $2.29 a pound. According to Trader Joe's, it contains twice as much sweetness as other corns do. Plus, it's organic and kosher-certified. It would be a great addition to a corn pudding recipe.

A baby cauliflower recall confirms Mann's supplies the veggie to Trader Joe's. The recall also affected TJ's Kohlrabi Salad Blend, which appears to no longer be available. The recall was over a risk of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria has been linked to all sorts of foods, not just produce. The FDA says that keeping your fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit can help reduce the spread of foodborne illnesses, should they already be on your food. However, freezing doesn't kill the pathogen. So, regularly cleaning your fridge is also recommended.

Interestingly, baby cauliflower is not actually young cauliflower as we know it but an Asian variety of the plant called caulilini. The entire plant is easier to eat, as the florets are smaller and more tender than the typical Western cauliflower variety. The so-called baby cauliflower at Trader Joe's comes in 12-ounce packs.

A simultaneous sushi recall in 2019 shows Fuji Food makes Trader Joe's ready-to-eat sushi, spring rolls, banh mi salad, poke bowl, and queso fundido. The recall was due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Fuji Food is a privately held company that doesn't use any artificial ingredients. Its brands include Okami, FujiSan, Yoguri, Macho Mariachi, Wandering Gourmet, and other private labels (which includes Trader Joe's). The brand sells its products to more than 6,500 retailers around the country.

As of February 2023, Trader Joe's still sold sushi. But should you really get sushi from Trader Joe's? Probably not. Most other supermarkets make their sushi onsite. This can help reduce the risk of contamination or food going bad. Considering Trader Joe's doesn't have an onsite sushi maker, it is not much different from eating gas station sushi in that way. And that's something about which you should definitely think twice.

Bazzini, a nut, fruit, and chocolate company based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been around since 1886. In 2022, after reports of allergic reactions, the LLC recalled some of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups because they may have contained peanut protein. Interestingly, if you look at what Bazzini sells through its website, you won't find anything akin to almond butter cups; Trader Joe's often works with existing brands to create slightly different or even new products.

This recall was significant because peanut allergies are one of the most common allergies in the country, affecting 1 to 2% of the population. About two-thirds of those with peanut allergies aren't allergic to tree nuts, such as almonds, but the presence of peanut protein in an almond butter cup could still be extremely dangerous and life-threatening to people with nut allergies. Further, the FDA requires labeling any possible cross-contamination with peanuts on foods.

Snak-King recalled "Trader Joe's Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips" in 2021 over a potential undeclared milk allergen. The additional milk ingredient was not included on the food label, so this could have affected those with sensitivities or allergies to milk. Trader Joe's shortly rebranded the chips into Truly Tortilla Chips, but they are no longer on the shelves, nor are its more recently made unavailable Salted White Corn Tortilla Chips. While it is not confirmed that Snak-King supplied the latter, Snak-King does make "Tostada Rounds" for its subsidiary, El Sabroso, making the brand a likely contender.

In addition to producing El Sabroso, Snak-King makes Granny Goose and The Whole Earth brands. It also sells Tapatío flavored snack products. Snak-King began in 1978 as a pork rind producer and has since grown into an international snack company. On its website, Snak-King actively courts brands to co-manufacture private-label food with it.

In 2015, Kayem recalled TJ's Sweet Apple Chicken Sausages over possible plastic contamination. Two customers who found plastic pieces in their meat prompted the recall. Trader Joe's still sells these sausages, as well as Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage, and Sweet Italian Sausage made with Pork, but we do not have confirmation that Kayem makes those. Kayem does not sell any of these flavors on its own — including the Chicken Apple Sausages — but that does not mean it does not produce them.

Kayem Foods makes meat products and has been doing so since 1909. The company was started in Massachusetts by two Polish immigrants and is named after one of its founders. The brand sells products wholesale, under its brand name in New England, and works with private labels to create their own products. Also, Kayem supplies hot dogs to Fenway Park, making it the stadium's official hot dog.

A recall affecting multiple brands, including Trader Joe's, confirmed Grower's Express as one of the grocery chain's suppliers. At the time, the issue concerned zucchini and butternut squash spirals, which Trader Joe's does not currently sell. The 2019 recall was over concerns of Listeria monocytogenes. Other brands affected by the recall were Green Giant Fresh, Growers Express, and Signature Farms. This makes this brand one of the largest fresh vegetable suppliers in the United States. Since Grower's Express is such a large supplier, it likely still produces products for Trader Joe's, though we don't know which ones. (And we hope we don't find out, considering recalls are the main way we do!)

If you are into spiralized vegetables and thinking of making your own while they are unavailable at Trader Joe's, consider that one spiralizer stands out: the Spiralizer 7-Blade Vegetable Slicer. Just remember: Don't put celery in your spiralizer. It just is not wide enough to make spirals.