Tyson recalls 75,000 pounds of chicken nuggets due to plastic bits

Tyson Foods last week said it is recalling 75,320 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets because they could contain small pieces of plastic in the filling, a situation that has already caused injuries to consumers unlucky enough to bite into the tainted nuggets.

The Springdale, Ariz-based company said it traced the problem to a scraper inside one of the factory’s blending machines, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The company said it has received complaints about “minor oral injury” due to the plastic bits.

The recall affects 5- and 20-pound bags of nuggets sold in Sam’s Club retail stores.

Specifically the recall included:

- 5-lb. bags of “Tyson Fully Cooked White Meat Chicken Nuggets – 16142-928” with a “Best if Used By” date of “Jan. 26 2015” or Feb. 16, 2015.” The manufacturer codes “0264SDL0315 through 19” and “0474SDL0311 through 14” can also be found on the bags. These nuggets were produced Jan. 26, 2014 or Feb. 16, 2014.

- 20-lb. bulk packs of “Spare Time Fully Cooked Nugget-Shaped Chicken Breast Pattie Fritters w/Rib Meat – 16142-861” with identifying case codes of “0264SDL0315 through 19” and “0474SDL0311 through 14.” These were produced Jan. 26 and Feb. 16, 2014 and were shipped to Indiana and Arkansas for use in institutional kitchens.

Tyson said nuggets sold in smaller bags were not affected by the recall.

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The FSIS labeled the Tyson recall as Class II, for the possibility that the food could cause “adverse health consequences.”

Customers are asked to call Tyson at (866) 328-3156 if they have questions.