Public Health Alert: These Perdue Chicken Tenders May Contain 'Foreign Material'

Authorities have issued a public health alert for certain ready-to-eat Perdue chicken tenders because they may contain "foreign material." The affected products were sold nationwide.

The problem with the "Perdue Chicken Breast Tenders Gluten Free" is that they may contain pieces of plastic and blue dye, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) noted in an announcement Tuesday.

The issue was discovered due to a customer complaint about a chicken tender that contained a "small piece of clear plastic" as well as blue dye inside. Meat and poultry products that contain foreign material are considered to be "adulterated...regardless of the physical characteristics of the foreign material" such as its size or hardness, according to the agency.

"Contamination can occur at any point along the food production chain — during production, processing, distribution or preparation," the FSIS noted.

As of the announcement, there are "no confirmed reports" of adverse effects from eating the product. But those who have concerns are being advised to contact their health care provider.

Since the affected Perdue chicken tenders aren't available for purchase anymore, the agency did not request a recall. Instead, it issued the public health alert in case those who previously bought the product still have it at home.

"FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' freezers," the agency noted.

The public health alert affects the 4-ounce bags of frozen, ready-to-eat "Perdue Chicken Breast Tenders Gluten Free" that were sold at BJ's Wholesale Club locations nationwide. They were produced on July 12 and had the lot number 2193 and best if used by date of July 12, 2023. They also have the establishment number P-33944 and UPC bar code 0-72745-83492-9.

Customers may find photos of the products' packaging as well as details on where to find the important information here.

"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them," the agency noted. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."

Those with questions about the alert may contact the Perdue Foods hotline at 866-866-3703. Customers who have food safety questions may contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.