Walmart Frozen Chicken Nuggets Hit With Health Alert for Lead

This article was created with the assistance of generative AI. It was reviewed by editors before publication.

A public health alert was issued for certain frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets sold under Walmart’s Great Value label because they may contain lead, according to a statement from the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Routine testing found that the amount of lead could be as much as five times higher than the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) interim reference level (IRL) of 2.2 micrograms per day for children.

 A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase, but health officials are concerned that the item could still be in consumers’ freezers.

Which chicken nuggets are included in the USDA health alert?

The FSIS says the alert applies to the following product, which was shipped to Walmart locations nationwide:

Product name: Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets

• Package: 29-ounce plastic bag (about 36 nuggets)
• “Best if used by” date: February 10, 2027
• Lot code: 0416DPO1215
• Establishment number: P44164 (printed on the back of the bag)
• Production date: Produced Feb. 10, 2026

The FSIS is continuing to investigate the situation and said additional products could be added to the alert.

What should consumers do?

If you have the product, the FSIS advises:

• Do not eat the nuggets.
• Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
• Food safety questions: Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov.
• Reporting a problem: The FSIS also directs consumers to its Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System (available 24/7).

Why lead is a concern (and who’s most at risk)

Lead can be harmful at any age, but it poses special risks to children, whose brains and nervous systems are still developing. Public health agencies note that lead exposure in childhood is linked to damage to the brain and nervous system as well as learning and behavior problems.

In adults, research links ongoing or higher lead exposure with health problems that can matter more as we age, including higher blood pressure and cardiovascular effects and kidney damage or impaired kidney function.

For older adults, some evidence suggests lead stored in the body over decades may be linked to memory problems and may increase the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms aren’t always obvious right away and can resemble other conditions, so if you believe you may have been exposed to lead — or you’re worried about elevated levels — health authorities advise contacting a health care provider to discuss next steps, including whether testing is appropriate.