Perdue Issues Massive Recall Over Reports of Wire in Chicken Products

Perdue Issues Massive Recall Over Reports of Wire in Chicken Products

Perdue Foods has issued a recall for over 167,000 pounds of chicken nuggets and tenders following reports of metal wire found in the products.

At a Glance

  • Perdue Foods recalls over 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken products.
  • Recall issued due to metal wire found in some products.
  • Affected items include multiple varieties of chicken nuggets and tenders.
  • No injuries or adverse reactions reported so far.
  • Consumers advised to return products for a full refund.

Details of the Recall

Perdue Foods is recalling 167,171 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders due to reports of metal wire found in some of the products. Affected products include Perdue Breaded Chicken Tenders, Butcher Box Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets, and Perdue Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets. These products were identified with a best-if-used-by date of March 23, 2025, and establishment number “P-33944.” All recalled items were produced on March 23, 2024, and distributed to retail locations nationwide and sold online directly to customers.

The issue was identified after consumer complaints about metal wire in the products were reported. Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality, highlighted that the contamination was due to “a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process.”

No injuries or adverse reactions have been reported so far. The recall includes products like the 22-oz. packages of “PERDUE Simply Smart ORGANICS Breaded CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS,” 29-oz. packages of “PERDUE CHICKEN BREAST TENDERS,” and 22-oz. packages of “BUTCHERBOX Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets.”

Consumer Actions and Safety Measures

Perdue Foods urges consumers who have purchased these products to discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further information, consumers can visit Perdue’s website or contact them directly at 866-866-3703. The company has taken this action “out of an abundance of caution” to ensure consumer safety.

Foreign object contamination is a common reason for food recalls in the United States. Last November, Tyson Foods recalled nearly 30,000 pounds of chicken nuggets due to similar concerns involving metal contamination. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is conducting recall effectiveness checks to ensure customers are notified and that the recalled products are no longer available for purchase.

Increasing Frequency of Food Recalls

The number of food recalls in the United States has been on the rise, particularly related to foreign object contamination, salmonella, and undeclared allergens. The Perdue and Tyson recalls highlight the broader issue of recalls in the U.S. Rigorous quality control and manufacturing protocols are essential to mitigate these risks. It’s important for consumers to remain vigilant and report abnormalities, contributing to timely recalls and increased safety measures.

As food manufacturing processes evolve, stringent oversight is essential to maintain the quality and safety of products reaching consumer tables.

Sources

  1. Perdue recalls frozen chicken nuggets, tenders over possible metal contamination
  2. Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
  3. Watchdog Group Says U.S. Food Recalls Rose Again Last Year