# Massive Frozen Chicken Recall: Over 4 Million Pounds Pulled from Shelves. Here’s What You Need to Know.
It’s a scenario every family dreads: the food you’ve stocked in your freezer for quick and easy meals could pose a health risk. That concern has become a reality for millions of Americans this week, as the **USDA announces a nationwide recall of more than 4 million pounds of frozen chicken products**. This significant public health alert affects numerous popular brands of ready-to-eat items, including chicken patties, nuggets, and tenders sold at major retailers across the country.
We know this news can be concerning, especially when it involves staple items that many of us rely on. The purpose of this guide is to cut through the confusion and provide you with clear, actionable information. We’ll cover which products are affected, why they were recalled, and exactly what you should do if you find them in your freezer.
## What Products Are Included in the Recall?
The recall is extensive, covering a variety of frozen, fully-cooked chicken products produced by a single processing facility. Because these items are often sold under different brand names (a practice known as private labeling), it’s crucial to check the specific details on the packaging rather than just the brand name on the front of the bag or box.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has urged consumers to check their freezers immediately for products matching the recall criteria.
### Key Brands and Product Names to Look For
While the list is long, some of the major product types involved in this recall include:
* Fully-Cooked Chicken Breast Patties
* Breaded Chicken Nuggets
* Spicy Chicken Tenders
* Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
These items were sold under various brand names at national grocery chains, warehouse clubs, and discount stores. It is essential to look beyond the brand and check for the specific identifying marks.
### Identifying Recalled Products: Lot Codes and Establishment Numbers
The most reliable way to determine if a product you own is part of the recall is to look for the establishment number printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging.
* **Establishment Number:** Look for **”EST. P-1999″** inside the USDA mark of inspection. This number identifies the specific processing plant where the products were made.
* **Production Dates:** The affected products were produced between March 10 and May 15 of this year. Check for “Best By,” “Use By,” or production date codes that fall within this range.
* **Lot Codes:** The FSIS has released a full list of specific lot codes. You can find this detailed information on their official website.
If your product has the establishment number “EST. P-1999” and was produced during the specified time frame, it should be considered part of the recall.
## Why Was the Chicken Recalled? The Reason Behind the Alert
The recall was initiated after the producing company received several consumer complaints reporting the discovery of foreign materials in the chicken products. Following an investigation, it was determined that the products may be contaminated with small pieces of hard plastic.
The plastic fragments are believed to have originated from a piece of processing equipment that broke during production. While the company has taken immediate corrective actions, the products manufactured during that period were already distributed nationwide, prompting the large-scale recall to ensure consumer safety.
Consuming food contaminated with hard plastic can pose a significant health risk, including potential injury to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, as well as a choking hazard, particularly for children. The FSIS has classified this as a Class I recall, which is the highest-risk category, indicating a “reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” To date, there have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness associated with the consumption of these products.
## I Have a Recalled Product. What Should I Do Now?
If you’ve identified a recalled frozen chicken product in your freezer, it’s important to take the right steps to ensure your family’s safety and get a refund. Follow this simple, step-by-step process.
### Step 1: Do Not Eat the Product
This is the most critical step. **Do NOT consume these products.** Even if they look and smell normal, the risk of foreign material contamination remains. Do not feed them to pets, either.
### Step 2: Secure the Product
To prevent anyone from accidentally eating the product, secure it. You can place the bag or box in another sealed plastic bag and mark it clearly with a pen, such as “RECALLED – DO NOT EAT.” This ensures it isn’t mistaken for safe food.
### Step 3: Return for a Refund or Dispose of It
You have two primary options:
1. **Return it to the store:** The safest and most recommended action is to return the product to the place of purchase. Retailers are aware of the recall and will provide a full refund, even without a receipt.
2. **Dispose of it safely:** If you are unable to return the product, you should throw it away. Ensure it is in a sealed or secured bag so that it cannot be accessed by wildlife or others.
### Step 4: Who to Contact for More Information
If you have questions about the recall, you can contact the producing company’s consumer hotline (check the FSIS press release for the official number). For food safety questions, you can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or visit the FSIS website.
## How to Stay Informed About Future Food Recalls
Food recalls are an important part of our nation’s food safety system. While they can be alarming, they show that monitoring systems are working to protect consumers. To stay ahead of future alerts, consider these resources:
* **Official FSIS Website:** The USDA-FSIS website is the most reliable source for information on all meat, poultry, and egg product recalls.
* **Email Alerts:** You can subscribe to receive email notifications from the FSIS whenever a recall is announced.
* **FoodKeeper App:** The USDA also offers a free app called FoodKeeper, which provides storage advice and sends notifications about recalls.
Being proactive and informed is the best way to keep your family safe. After the news that the **USDA announces a nationwide recall of more than 4 million pounds of frozen chicken products**, taking a few minutes to check your freezer is a small step that provides significant peace of mind.
Leave a Reply