Trader Joe's Withdraws Popular Holiday Product Due to 'Standards' Concerns

Share and Follow

In an unexpected turn of events, Trader Joe’s has decided to remove one of its beloved seasonal staples from its shelves. The absence of Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s, a festive twist on their popular sandwich cookies, will be felt throughout the holiday season due to a quality control issue, as confirmed by company representatives.

The well-loved cookies, known for their delightful candy-cane pieces, won’t be making their annual appearance this year. Trader Joe’s stated that the latest batch failed to meet the company’s stringent standards. This means that fans of the holiday treat will have to wait until at least next year to enjoy them again.

In an email to Nexstar, a Trader Joe’s communications manager elaborated on their meticulous quality assurance process. “Every product undergoes a rigorous tasting panel process, in which every aspect of quality, taste, and price is thoroughly evaluated before the product can earn a spot on our shelves. Even after products arrive in our stores, we continue to taste them regularly to ensure they meet those same standards,” she explained.

Unfortunately, this year’s batch of Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s didn’t make the cut, prompting the decision to withdraw them from the holiday lineup. This move underscores Trader Joe’s commitment to maintaining high standards for all its products, ensuring customers receive only the best on their shelves.

Trader Joe’s did not elaborate on the specific quality issue detected in this year’s batch. But fans say they were told by Trader Joe’s employees that the cookies had “too much peppermint” or that the mint flavoring was “too strong.” Customers who say they bought Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s before they were pulled have made similar claims.

“I got a box a week ago and the peppermint is soooo off,” one Reddit user claimed, while others said the cookies tasted “chemical-ish” or “like minty tobacco.”

A couple of other customers, meanwhile, claim they were told it was a shipping or packaging issue that prevented the release of this year’s cookies.

Whatever the reason, Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s are currently listed as “not available” on the Trader Joe’s website, where they’re still described as one of the store’s “most popular holiday items.” A gluten-free version, however, is listed to be available as of Friday, and Trader Joe’s confirmed a dark-chocolate-covered variety is also still on shelves.

“Our holiday season cookie selection is vast and includes a number of truly delicious cookies; we hope our customers will find a new favorite or two from among this selection,” the Trader Joe’s representative said.