Don’t Panic but…Chicken Nuggets Just Got a Major Recall

This recall follows closely on the footsteps of several other meat, poultry and produce recalls.

By Erica Loop January 18, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food and Safety Inspection Service recently announced a major chicken nugget recall. The recall includes 68,244 pounds of Perdue SimplySmart Organics gluten-free breaded chicken breast nuggets. Representatives from Perdue did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

This recall follows closely on the footsteps of several other meat, poultry and produce recalls. Unlike some of the other recalls, where microorganisms were at fault, the recent Perdue recall is for possible wood particle contamination.

Photo: Courtesy of Perdue

Recall Description: Perdue SimplySmart Organics Chicken Nuggets

The affected products include 22-oz. plastic bag packages of frozen “PERDUE SimplySmart ORGANICS BREADED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS GLUTEN FREE” with “Best By: Date 10/25/19” and UPC Bar Code “72745-80656” represented on the label.

Why the Chicken Nuggets Were Recalled

Perdue initiated the voluntary recall following three consumer complaints that wood was found in the chicken nugget packages. Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s Vice President for Quality Assurance, issued a media statement, noting, “After a thorough investigation, we strongly believe this to be an isolated incident, as only a minimal amount of these packages has the potential to contain pieces of wood. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to recall all packages of PERDUE® SIMPLY SMART® Organics Gluten Free Chicken Breast Nuggets produced during the same product run.”

As of now, there are no reports of adverse reactions, injury or illnesses caused by the issue.

How to Tell If Your Chicken Nuggets Were Recalled

The 49,632 bags of frozen, fully cooked nuggets include 22-oz. plastic bag packages of frozen “PERDUE SimplySmart ORGANICS BREADED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS GLUTEN FREE” with “Best By: Date 10/25/19” and UPC Bar Code “72745-80656” represented on the label. Look for the establishment number “P-33944” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

What Parents Can Do

Check your freezer! Even though the nuggets were produced on Oct. 25, 2018, it’s possible that consumers still have them in their freezers. If you have one of the recalled bags, do not eat the nuggets. Throw them out and contact Perdue Foods at 877-727-3447 for a full refund.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: PxHere

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