In a significant move prompted by public safety concerns, Perdue Foods is recalling over 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken products. The company's proactive step comes after the distressing discovery that some packages contained metal wire, according to CBS News Miami. This recall encompasses various frozen chicken items including the Simply Smart Organic Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets, Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders, and Butcher Box Organic Free Fully Frozen-Cooked Breast Chicken Nuggets. All affected products share a March 23, 2025 best-used-by date.
The potential contamination was identified after reports from consumers who found thin strands of metal wire embedded directly within the chicken products. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries or adverse reactions from consuming these items as detailed by the U.S. Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service and Perdue, themselves. However, both entities appear to be taking the risks seriously, cautioning that the products might still be in consumers' freezers.
Perdue has undertaken a broad and voluntary recall as an "abundance of caution," as stated by Jeff Shaw, Perdue's senior vice president of food safety and quality. "We determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process," Shaw told ABC News.
Issued nationwide to retailers and also available online, the products can be identified by the establishment number P-33944 found on the packaging. The FSIS has also broadcasted a notification on their website for broader outreach, while Perdue encourages customers who have purchased the recalled items to either dispose of them or return them for a full refund. The phone line established by Perdue, 866-866-3703 is available for impacted consumers seeking additional information on the recall or refunds. Meanwhile, the FSIS advises anyone concerned about potential health implications to seek medical advice prompt.
This is not the first time Perdue Farms has had to navigate the complexities of a product recall. Back in 2019, the company retracted nearly 32,000 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken over concerns they could contain bits of bone. Similarly, Tyson Foods faced a recall issue in November of the previous year, collecting nearly 30,000 pounds of chicken nuggets after metal pieces were discovered by customers.
