Tyson Recalls Chicken Nuggets Over Possible Plastic Contamination

WASHINGTON (CBS SF) -- Tyson Foods has recalled approximately 132,520 pounds of chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with hard plastic, the USDA announced Tuesday.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the fully cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets items were produced on July 18, 2016.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 5-lb. bag containing "Tyson Fully Cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets" with a "Best If Used By" date of July 18, 2017 and case code 2006SDL03 and 2006SDL33.
• 20-lb. bulk packages containing "Spare Time Fully Cooked, Panko Chicken Nuggets, Nugget Shaped Chicken Breast Pattie Fritters With Rib Meat" with a production date of July 18, 2016 and case code 2006SDL03.

The products included in the recall bear establishment number "EST. 13556" printed adjacent to the "Best If Used By" date on the back of the package. The 20-pound cases were shipped for institutional use in Pennsylvania and the five-pound bags were shipped to Costco retail locations nationally.

Tyson Foods learned about the problem after receiving complaints from consumer about foreign material contamination of chicken nugget products.

According to Tyson Foods, the plastic material ranged in size from 21mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter and may have come from a round, hard plastic rod used to connect a plastic transfer belt. Tyson said the plastic debris would not be detectable by the metal detector that the food products pass through.

So far, the USDA said there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the chicken nuggets. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

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

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Tyson Foods' Consumer Relations at (866) 328-3156.