Another chicken strip recall has been issued by the USDA, bringing the total number to a frustrating level. Contaminants, foreign objects and mislabeling means it’s extra important to check your freezer before whipping up an easy dinner.
Here’s the rundown on seven of the recalls most likely to affect parents so far.
Tyson Foods Inc. Chicken Products
Why They Were Recalled
On Mar. 21, 2019 Tyson Foods, Inc. issued a recall for 65,313 pounds of chicken products based on customer reports that the products contained pieces of metal. As of May 4, 2019, the recall now includes an additional 11,829,517 pounds of ready-to-eat strips.
Where They Were Sold
The products were shipped to retail and Department of Defense locations nationwide, for institutional use nationwide and to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
What to Look For
The recalled products include 20, 25 and 40-oz bags produced on various dates from Oct. 1, 2018 through March 8, 2019 and have “Use By Dates” of Oct. 1, 2019 through March 7, 2020. Each package has an establishment code P-7221. Click this link to see a chart of all 8 Tyson products in this recall.
Spare Time Fully Cooked Buffalo Style Chicken Strips, Chicken Breast Strip Fritters with Rib Meat & Sauce
Why They Were Recalled
On Mar. 21, 2019 Tyson Foods, Inc., the parent company for Spare Time, issued a recall for 3,780 pounds of chicken products based on customer reports that the products contained pieces of metal.
Where They Were Sold
The products were sold to retailers in the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. They were also sold to correctional institutions in Wisconsin and Michigan.
What to Look For
The recalled products include 20-lb boxes produced at one plant location on November 30, 2018. Each package has an establishment code P7221 and a “use by” date of November 30, 2019. They have a UPC code of 00031400076746 and a case code of 3348CNQ03.
Taylor Farms Chile Relleno
Why They Were Recalled
On Feb. 2, 2019 the USDA announced a recall for 2,100 pounds of chicken products manufactured by Taylor Farms. The chicken was incorrectly labeled as Chile Relleno. This misbranding error means that the products, which were actually HEB Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Alfredo and Chicken, could contain undeclared allergens.
Where They Were Sold
The products were sold in grocery and retail stores in Texas.
What to Look For
The recalled products include 10-oz. tray packages labeled as “HEB-MEAL SIMPLE CHILE RELLENO” with “USE BY” dates of 02/04/2019, 02/05/2019, 02/07/2019, 02/08/2019, and 02/09/2019 and lot codes TFD025AU4, TFD026AU4, TFD028AU4, TFD029AU4 and TFD030AU4. The products bear the establishment number "EST. 34733."
Pilgrim's Pride Uncooked Popcorn Style Chicken
Why They Were Recalled
The USDA announced a recall for Pilgrim's Pride's uncooked popcorn style chicken breast chunk fritters with ribmeat on Feb. 1, 2019. After receiving a consumer complaint about a possible rubber contaminant, Pilgrim's Pride issued the voluntary recall for the frozen, not-ready-to-eat breaded chicken
Where They Were Sold
The popcorn chicken products were sold at Publix Super Markets and other stores across the country.
What to Look For
The recalled chicken includes 20-lb. boxes containing 8 clear bags of “UNCOOKED POPCORN STYLE CHICKEN BREAST CHUNK FRITTERS WITH RIB MEAT” with a “USE BY 10 01 2019” date and lot codes of 9004101012, 9004101013, 9004101014, 9004101015, 9004101016, 9004101017, 9004101018, 9004101019, 9004101020, 9004101021, 9004101022, 9004101000 and 9004101001. The items were produced on Jan. 4, 2019.
Tyson Fully Cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets
Why They Were Recalled
On Jan. 29, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Tyson recalled approximately 36,420 pounds of chicken nuggets that may have been contaminated with rubber. The Tyson nuggets were recalled because a small number of consumers contacted the company to say they had found small pieces of soft, blue rubber in the nuggets. As of today, no injuries have been reported with this recall. Representatives for Tyson Foods directed consumers to a company press release online when asked for comment.
Where They Were Sold
Tyson Fully Cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets in 5-pound bags were sold at club stores in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey and Utah.
What to Look For
The recall includes 5-pound bags of Tyson® Fully Cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets purchased since Nov. 26, 2018, check the following information to see if they are included in the recall. Bags will have a UPC of 0 23700 03558 5, “best if used by” dates of Nov. 26, 2019, case codes 3308SDL03 with time stamps of 23:00 to 01:59 and establishment number P13556.
Perdue Fun Shapes Chicken Breast Nuggets
Why They Were Recalled
In addition to the Tyson recall, Perdue Foods issued a second chicken nugget recall (voluntarily) in as many weeks on Jan. 28, 2019 for more than 16,000 pounds of refrigerated chicken nuggets because of an undeclared allergen and an incorrect UPC code. The product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions, resulting from people eating these nuggets with this recall. Representatives for Perdue Farms directed consumers to a company press release online when asked for comment.
Where They Were Sold
Perdue Fun Shapes Chicken Breast Nuggets in 12-oz. packages were shipped to retail locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, DC, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
What to Look For
The recall includes 12-ounce packages of PERDUE Fun Shapes Chicken Breast Nuggets, check for a Use By date of Mar 11, 2019, lot codes 17009010–19009010 and establishment number P-369 inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Harvest Food Group Seasoned Chicken Fried Rice
Why They Were Recalled
Harvest Food Group Inc. voluntarily recalled 47,332 pounds of not ready-to-eat chicken fried rice on Jan. 23, 2019. The products were misbranded and may have an undeclared milk allergen.
Where They Were Sold
The products were shipped to retail locations in Illinois and Michigan.
What to Look For
The products bear the establishment number "P-34457." The Jan. recall is for: 9-oz. cardboard packages of “yumnum global cuisine YAKITORI SEASONED CHICKEN FRIED RICE” bearing lot codes “C041A8K12 BEST BY 11/12/2019,” “C091A8L04 BEST BY 12/04/2019,” and “C091A8L05 BEST BY 12/05/2019."
What Parents Can Do
Check your freezer and do not eat any chicken nuggets if they match any of the recalled products above!
For recalled Tyson chicken nuggets, discard the product, cut the UPC and date code from the back of the packaging and mail it to the following address for a full refund:
Tyson Foods Consumer Relations
P.O. Box 219
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
If you have questions, call Tyson's special toll-free line at 1-888-747-7611. Customer service representatives will be available Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central.
Customers who purchased Perdue chicken nuggets affected by either recall may call Perdue at 866-866-3703 to receive a full refund.
Customers who purchased Pilgrim's Pride uncooked popcorn chicken should not eat the products. Return them to the place of purchase or throw them away. Contact James Brown, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation’s consumer relations, at (800) 321-1470 with additional questions.
For questions regarding the Taylor Farms recall, contact Thomas Yongo, director of quality assurance with Taylor Farms Texas. Either throw the product away or bring it back to the place of purchase for a refund.
If you have the Yumnum Global Cuisine Yakitori Seasoned Chicken Fried Rice is your fridge or freezer you can return it to the place of purchase. This is especially important if you or someone in your family has a dairy allergy.
––Karly Wood, Erica Loop
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