A lead contamination warning has been issued for Walmart dino-shaped chicken nuggets
Baby dinosaur-shaped pacifiers sold at Walmart stores may contain unsafe levels of lead, public health officials are warning.
The US Department of Agriculture issued a public health warning Wednesday about frozen, fully cooked, ready-to-eat chicken.
Officials said the presence of lead in the nuggets was discovered during monitoring sampling by a federal partner.
It is not clear how the product was contaminated.
Food can be exposed to the source because of where it is grown or processed. The Food and Drug Administration said it is not possible to completely prevent lead from entering food, but it is possible to reduce levels through changes in agriculture or manufacturing practices.
There is no safe amount of lead exposure in food products. The FDA determines the public health risk of the level of lead in a food product by taking into account the level of lead toxicity measured in food and consumption. The reference level for lead poisoning in children is 2.2 micrograms, according to the FDA.
The amount of lead found in dino nuggets could be five times higher than the reference level for children, officials warn.
No recall has been requested because the products are no longer available for purchase, but officials are concerned that bags of frozen nuggets may still be in consumers’ refrigerators.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the potentially contaminated products.
Dirty dino nuggets details
Dirty nuggets are produced in Feb. 10.
The 29-ounce plastic bag is labeled “Good Value” and has a best-by date of Feb. 10, 2027.
The lot code is “0416DPO1215” and has the set number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.
Where the product was sold
Bags of ready-to-eat dino-shaped nuggets are sold at Walmart stores nationwide.
Officials with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service did not disclose which specific Walmart locations sell the product.
The investigation is ongoing.
What to do if you have a bag of dino nuggets
Officials said consumers who bought a bag of leftovers should not eat them.
The bag must be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
Adverse effects of lead exposure
Lead is toxic to people of any age or health condition. It is very dangerous for pregnant women, infants and children.
Adverse effects depend on the level of lead in the food, the age of the consumer and the frequency of exposure, according to the FDA.
Short-term or very low levels of exposure may not cause any symptoms beyond elevated lead levels in a blood test.
If a child receives enough lead for a long time (weeks to months), permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can lead to learning difficulties, developmental disabilities and other long-term health problems, according to the FDA.
In adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure and neurocognitive effects.
