USDA warns about Walmart chicken nuggets contaminated with lead

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart stores because they may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. 

Guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration provide an interim reference level (IRL) for lead of 2.2 micrograms. The amount of lead found in these nuggets could be as much as five times higher than this IRL for children.

A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers can use the following label information to determine whether they have the implicated product:

• 29-oz. plastic bags containing approx. 36 “GREAT VALUE FULLY COOKED DINO SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with “BEST IF USED BY” date “FEB 10 2027,” lot code” 0416DPO1215,” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.

These items were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide. FSIS is continuing to investigate this issue. Additional products could be added to the public alert.

The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner.

Lead is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and young children because it can harm developing brains and nervous systems, sometimes causing lasting problems. There is no safe amount of lead exposure. Health experts also say these nuggets may be a risk for women who are pregnant or who could 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 product may be in consumers’ freezers. 

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged 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 present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water.

Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and the developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of lead that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. 

A child with lead poisoning may not look or act sick. Lead poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.