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Health Alert: Dino Nuggets Sold at Walmart May Contain Unsafe Levels of Lead

Consumers are being urged to check their freezers after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert involving certain frozen dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets sold at Walmart stores nationwide. Federal officials say the affected product may contain unsafe levels of lead.

The alert applies to 29-ounce bags of Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets with a “Best If Used By” date of February 10, 2027, lot code 0416DPO1215, and establishment number P44164 printed on the back of the bag. Officials say the product was shipped to Walmart locations across the country.

According to reports on the federal alert, testing found the nuggets could contain lead levels as much as five times higher than the FDA’s interim reference level for children, which is 2.2 micrograms per day.

A recall was not issued because the product is no longer being sold in stores, but federal officials are concerned some families may still have it sitting in their freezers at home. Consumers are being told not to eat the nuggets and instead throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

Health officials warn that lead exposure is especially dangerous for young children, infants, and pregnant women. The CDC says lead can damage the brain and nervous system, slow growth and development, and lead to learning, behavior, hearing, and speech problems in children. The agency also says no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.

Federal officials say the contamination issue was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner, and the investigation is still ongoing. Additional products could be added to the alert if more concerns are identified.

For parents and caregivers, this is another reminder that even foods marketed toward children can sometimes become the subject of major health alerts. Anyone who believes a child may have been exposed should contact a healthcare provider for guidance. CDC guidance says a blood lead test can help determine whether exposure has occurred. 


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