Tyson Chicken Nuggets Recall 2016: Plastic Contaminated Product Shipped Nationally

Tyson Foods is recalling more than 130,000 pounds of their fully cooked chicken nugget products, according to the company's official website. The bite-size food is believed to be contaminated with pieces of hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported Tuesday.

The contamination was discovered when customers began complaining to the food company about the strange material found in the chicken. The plastic is said to be 21mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter. It is believed that the pieces come from a rod that is used to connect a plastic transfer belt. The company does not have machines that can detect plastic contamination which is why the products were able to pass through other safety checkpoints like the metal detector.

One of the items being recalled is the five-pound bag of Tyson Fully Cooked Chicken nuggets with the “Best If Used By” date of July 18, 2017. The case codes of the recalled products are 2006SDL03 and 2006SDL33.

Also being pulled off the shelves are the 20-pound bulk packages of Spare Time Fully Cooked, Panko Chicken Nuggets, Nugget Shaped Chicken Breast Pattie Fritters with Rib Meat with the production date of July 18, 2016 and case code of 2006SDL03.

These recalled products possess the establishment number “EST. 13556” printed adjacent to the “Best If Used By” date located on the back of the package. While the contaminated 20-pound bags are located in Pennsylvania, the five-pound bags have been shipped to nationwide retail locations.

This recall is considered a Class I recall which the USDA classifies as “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

Although no complaints of illnesses or injuries have been reported, customers in possession of the contaminated products are encouraged not to consume them and instead throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

In November, the Arkansas-based company recalled more than 52,000 pounds of chicken-wing products due to an “off odor” scent.

Anyone with concerns or questions regarding the recent recall can call Tyson Foods’ Consumer Relations at 1-866-328-3156. They can also contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline toll-free at 1-888-MPHotline. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. For more information on the recall customers can visit the FSIS website.