Walmart Shoppers In New Hampshire Warned About Dino Chicken Nuggets In USDA Lead Alert

CONCORD, NH — 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 for a frozen chicken nugget product sold at Walmart stores in the state.

The alert covers dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead.

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the product was sold at New Hampshire Walmart locations. The alert applies to 29-ounce plastic bags containing about 36 “Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets.” The affected bags have the Best If Used By date “FEB 10, 2027,” lot code “0416DPO1215,” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back.

Consumers who bought or received the nuggets are being told to avoid eating them. According to the public health alert, the product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Because the product is ready to eat, families may already have it in home freezers and may not realize it is part of the alert.

The warning carries added concern for households with young children. According to the alert, there is no safe amount of lead exposure. Exposure to even small amounts of lead may cause behavioral, developmental, and health problems. The alert states that children under age 6 are especially vulnerable because they are undergoing critical neurological and physical development.

The product description is specific, and shoppers are being asked to check packaging details carefully rather than rely only on the brand name or shape. The USDA notice identifies the exact bag size, best-by date, lot code and establishment number tied to the alert. That information can help consumers determine whether a package in their freezer is affected.

For more information about the public health alert, consumers can visit the USDA website. People with questions about lead exposure can contact the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, at LEADRN@dhhs.nh.gov. State residents are being advised to take the warning seriously and not eat the product if they have it at home.