JACKSON – The Mississippi State Department of Health is urging consumers to check their freezers after a public health alert was issued for certain frozen, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets that may contain unsafe levels of lead.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert for 29-ounce bags containing about 36 Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets. The product has a “best if used by” date of Feb. 10, 2027, lot code 0416DPO1215, and establishment number P44164 printed on the back of the bag.
According to FSIS, the nuggets were produced Feb. 10, 2026, and shipped to Walmart stores nationwide.
A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for sale, but federal officials said they are concerned some bags may still be in consumers’ freezers.
The issue was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner, according to FSIS.
Health officials warned that lead exposure is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants and young children because it can harm developing brains and nervous systems and may cause lasting health problems. Officials said there is no safe level of lead exposure and that the amount found in the nuggets could be up to five times higher than the Food and Drug Administration’s interim reference level for children.
Consumers who purchased the product are advised not to eat it and should either throw it away or return it to the store.
FSIS said it is continuing to investigate and that additional products could be added to the alert.
