USDA warns about Walmart chicken nuggets contaminated with lead
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert regarding frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart stores because they may be contaminated with dangerous levels of lead.
Food and Drug Administration guidelines provide an interim reference level (IRL) for lead of 2.2 micrograms. The amount of lead found in these nuggets could be up to five times that IRL for children.
No recall has been requested as the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some products are still in consumers’ freezers.
Consumers can use the following label information to determine if they have the affected product:
- 29 oz. plastic bags containing approx. 36 “HIGH VALUE FULLY COOKED DINO-SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with “BEST IF USED BY” date “FEBRUARY 10, 2027”, lot code “0416DPO1215” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.
These items were shipped to Walmart stores across the country. FSIS continues to investigate this issue. Additional products may be added to the public alert.
The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling by a partner state.
Lead is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and young children because it can harm the developing brain and nervous system, sometimes causing lasting problems. There is no safe amount of lead exposure. Health experts also say these nuggets may pose a risk to women who are or may become pregnant. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on the health effects of lead consumption.
FSIS is concerned that some products are in consumers’ freezers.
Consumers who have purchased these products are asked not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
About lead contamination
Lead is a toxic substance found in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some amount of lead through everyday actions such as inhaling dust, eating food or drinking water.
Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. Although lead can affect almost every body system, its effects depend on the amount and duration of lead exposure as well as the age of the exposed person.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavioral or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children, and the developing fetus may be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of lead that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning.
A child with lead poisoning cannot look or act sick. Lead poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.
