Tyson Recalls Cooked Chicken Nuggets Due to Possible Hard Plastic Contamination

Tyson Foods Inc. has officially recalled more than 130,000 pounds of cooked chicken nuggets due to possible hard plastic contamination. This statement was announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Tyson Food's Panko Chicken Nuggets are included in the recall. These fully-cooked chicken nuggets were manufactured on July 18, 2016. These products are Tyson Fully Cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets in 5-lb bags with a Best if Used By tag of July 18, 2017 bearing case codes 2006SDL03 and 2006SDL33 and Spare Time Fully Cooked, Panko Chicken Nuggets, Nugget Shaped Chicken Breast Pattie Fritters with Rib Meat in 20-lb packages manufactured July 18, 2016 bearing case code 2006SDL03.

Consumers who have purchased these food items should check for the establishment number "EST 13556" which is printed next to the Best If Used By date located at the back of the product packaging. Still according to USDA FSIS,  cases of these 20-pound chicken nuggets were shipped to Pennsylvania for institutional use while 5-pound bags were taken to other national retail locations.

Recall of Tyson chicken nuggets followed after complaints of foreign material from consumers. The company said that the plastic material that was found in contaminated chicken nuggets varied in size from 21 mm in length and 6.5 mm in diameter. They also said that this plastic may have been from a plastic rod which was from their plastic transfer belt. Their chicken nuggets pass strict quality inspection including a metal detector but plastic is undetected using this technology.

Till the time of the recall, there were no reports of adverse effects due to the consumption of products which were part of the recall. Anyone who has purchased these products should never consume them. Questions about the recall should be addressed to Tyson Foods' Consumer Relations at (866) 328 - 3156. Media outlets may contact Worth Sparkman-Public Relations, Corporate Affairs at their hotline (479) 290 - 6358.

CNN said that the USDA reminded the public that this is a class I recall which translates to a "reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious or adverse health consequences or even death." Recalled chicken nuggets products should be thrown away or returned to where they were purchased.

Anyone who suspects that he has consumed these products should consult medical personnel right away.