Jake Harper
Tyson Foods has had to recall its chicken products multiple times over the years due to hazards and quality concerns. In 2021, Tyson Foods recalled its ready-to-eat chicken products due to possible Listeria contamination, which was linked to three listeriosis illnesses, including one death. In 2023, Tyson voluntarily recalled approximately 30,000 pounds of its frozen chicken Fun Nuggets due to reports of small, pliable metal pieces in the product. The company requested that consumers discard the product and contact them via phone or text.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Recall | Foreign matter contamination, Listeria bacteria, Salmonella, metal shards, and rubber contamination |
| Year of Recall | 2014, 2015, 2021, 2023, 2025 |
| Products Recalled | Chicken patties, chicken nuggets, chicken wing products, mechanically separated chicken, chicken products |
| Weight Recalled | 33,840 pounds, 69,000 pounds, 8.5 million pounds, 11.8 million pounds, 30,000 pounds |
| States Impacted | Alabama, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico |
| Company Action | Reassess products, notify customers, conduct recall effectiveness checks, urge consumers to throw away or return products |
| Consumer Action | Check the establishment number and best-by date, contact the company, cut out UPC and date code, throw away or return products |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tyson chicken nugget recall of 2023
In November 2023, Tyson Foods issued a voluntary recall of approximately 30,000 pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken "Fun Nuggets" due to possible foreign matter contamination. The affected products were manufactured in early September 2023 and sold in select states, including Alabama, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The company received reports of small, pliable metal pieces in the nuggets, with one consumer reporting a minor oral injury.
If consumers believe they have purchased contaminated Tyson chicken nuggets, they should check the establishment number and best-by date on the package to determine if their product is affected. The recalled nuggets will have the establishment number "P-7211" on the back packaging and a best-by date of September 4, 2024. Additionally, the product codes of the affected items are 2483BRV02 07, 2483BRV02 08, 2483BRV02 09, or 2483BRV02 10. The product comes in a 29-ounce plastic bag and is shaped like dinosaurs.
If consumers find that they have purchased the contaminated nuggets, Tyson Foods and the USDA urge them to throw away the product or return it to the place of purchase if possible. Consumers can also contact Tyson Consumer Relations at 1-855-382-3101 and provide the UPC and date code for reference. It is important to note that this recall only affects the "Fun Nuggets" line, and no other Tyson brand products are impacted.
The Tyson chicken nugget recall of 2023 raised concerns among households, with consumers questioning the cause of the recall, which products were affected, and the appropriate course of action. However, it is important to emphasize that only the "Fun Nuggets" line was recalled, and other Tyson chicken products remain safe for consumption.
Chicken Chow Mein: Carbs Without Noodles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Listeria bacteria exposure in 2021
Listeria bacteria exposure can lead to a serious infection called listeriosis. In 2021, Tyson Foods faced a potential Listeria exposure in one of its Missouri-based plants. This led to a massive recall of approximately 8.5 million pounds of chicken products, including six different frozen chicken items. The products had been distributed across the United States and even reached stores in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the recall was issued too late to prevent illness, as it was triggered by a sample collected from someone who had contracted listeriosis after consuming a Tyson Foods product. This discovery was made following three Listeriosis infections, one of which resulted in a fatality.
Listeria monocytogenes bacteria cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness that can be very serious, especially for pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. It can lead to invasive illness, intestinal illness, and even bacterial meningitis. Listeria bacteria are prevalent in soil, water, and animal waste, and they can contaminate a variety of foods, including raw vegetables, tainted meat, unpasteurized dairy products, processed foods, and cold-smoked fish.
To prevent Listeria infection, it is crucial to follow food safety guidelines. These include maintaining proper hygiene by washing hands before and after handling food and thoroughly cleaning utensils, cutting boards, and other food preparation surfaces. Additionally, it is important to scrub raw vegetables, cook food thoroughly to the recommended temperatures, and refrigerate perishable items promptly.
Tyson Foods has a history of product recalls due to hazards and quality concerns. In 2023, the company recalled its chicken nuggets, specifically the ""Fun Nuggets" or "Dino Nuggets," due to possible metal contamination. The affected nuggets were manufactured in early September 2023 and distributed in select states, including Alabama, California, and Illinois. The company requested that consumers check the establishment number and best-by date to identify potentially contaminated products and urged them to dispose of or return the recalled items.
Chicken and Broccoli: How Many Milligrams of Sodium?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.67 $9.98
Salmonella contamination in 2014
In 2014, Tyson Foods recalled about 33,840 pounds of chicken due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recall was issued after seven people at a Tennessee correctional facility were infected with Salmonella Heidelberg, a strain of the Salmonella bacteria. The chicken products in question were shipped only to this correctional facility and were not available for consumer purchase in retail stores.
Tyson Foods' voluntary recall in 2014 was in response to an outbreak of Salmonella linked to its chicken products. The company supplied cases of mechanically separated chicken to the correctional facility in Tennessee. Following consumption of the chicken, seven people became ill, with two of them requiring hospitalization. The recall affected approximately 33,840 pounds of the mechanically separated chicken product.
Salmonella is a common cause of food contamination, and Tyson Foods has had several instances of Salmonella contamination over the years. In addition to the 2014 recall, Tyson Foods also recalled chicken products in 2023 and 2025 due to potential contamination with metal fragments and other bacteria.
When a food product is recalled due to potential contamination or other safety concerns, it is important for consumers to take the recalled product back to the store or dispose of it properly. In the case of the 2023 and 2025 Tyson chicken nugget recalls, consumers were instructed to check the establishment number and best-by date on their packages to determine if their product was affected. If their product was part of the recall, they were instructed to contact the company and return or dispose of the product.
The FSIS (U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service) routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to ensure the recalled product is no longer available to consumers. Consumers with questions or concerns about a recall can contact the company's consumer relations department or relevant government agencies, such as the USDA or FSIS.
Carbs in Chicken Soft Tacos: Sour Cream's Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Metal shards in chicken products
In 2023, Tyson Foods issued a recall statement for its chicken nuggets, specifically the "Fun Nuggets" or "Dino Nuggets", due to possible metal contamination. This recall affected nearly 30,000 pounds of nuggets sold in several states, including Alabama, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The company requested consumers to throw away the affected products or return them to the place of purchase.
Tyson Foods is not the only company to have faced this issue. Metal contamination in food products is more common than many people realize. Kraft Foods, Unibright Foods, Bay Valley Foods, and Kellogg have all issued recalls in the past due to the presence of metal shards or fragments in their products.
The root cause of metal shards in chicken products can often be traced back to the industrialized food system. Machinery with moving metal parts can break off and contaminate the food, posing a serious health risk to consumers. To address this issue, some companies are implementing advanced techniques like ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as reconfiguring production lines to minimize metal-on-metal contact.
If you believe you have purchased contaminated Tyson chicken nuggets, you can identify the affected product by checking the establishment number ("P-7211") and best-by date on the package. The company urges consumers to contact them via the provided phone number and dispose of or return the contaminated product.
Cooking Chicken: Shredded Measurements and Planning
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Listeria contamination in 2021
Listeria contamination is a serious issue that can lead to foodborne disease outbreaks. In 2021, there were several instances of Listeria contamination that resulted in product recalls and raised concerns about food safety.
One notable incident of Listeria contamination in 2021 involved Tyson Foods. The company discovered that its food products may have been exposed to Listeria bacteria in one of its Missouri-based plants. This potential exposure prompted a massive product recall, with approximately 8.5 million pounds of chicken products affected. The recall included six different frozen chicken products that had been distributed across the United States and even reached stores in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the recall was issued after some consumers had already become ill, with three reported cases of Listeriosis linked to Tyson Foods products, one of which resulted in a fatality.
Another instance of Listeria contamination in 2021 was linked to Dole packaged salads produced in North Carolina and Arizona and distributed in multiple states. This outbreak resulted in at least 16 illnesses and 2 deaths. Following the outbreak, Dole conducted a root cause analysis and, in collaboration with the FDA, identified the source of contamination as a piece of equipment in their Yuma, AZ facility. Dole decommissioned and dismantled the equipment, and the CDC declared the outbreak over.
Listeria outbreaks have also been associated with various other food products, including deli meat, pre-packaged hard-boiled eggs, Tip Top Poultry, ice cream, soft cheeses, fresh fruit, leafy greens, pre-cooked products, and enoki mushrooms. These outbreaks highlight the importance of proper sanitation and monitoring in food production and packaging facilities to prevent product contamination and protect public health.
In general, when a food product is recalled due to Listeria contamination, consumers are advised to check whether they have any of the affected products and to follow the instructions provided by the recalling company. In the case of the Tyson chicken recall, consumers were urged to throw away the potentially contaminated products or return them to the place of purchase. Additionally, consumers are recommended to clean and sanitize any surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with recalled products to prevent cross-contamination.
Converting Chicken: Grams to Ounces
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If you have a contaminated product that is part of the Tyson chicken nuggets recall, double-check the establishment number and best-by date on your package to determine if your nuggets were affected. If your product is part of the recall, the company requests that you contact them via call or text at 1-855-382-3101 and that you cut out the UPC and date code for reference. If you have a package of Tyson dino nuggets that are part of the recall, the USDA and Tyson urge consumers to throw them away or return them to where they were purchased.
The recall was due to possible contamination concerns. Consumers reported finding small, pliable metal pieces in the product.
The recall only affected one line of products, known as the "Fun Nuggets". The impacted products bear the product codes 2483BRV02 07, 2483BRV02 08, 2483BRV02 09, or 2483BRV02 10, establishment code P7211, with a best-if-used-by date of September 4, 2024.
