Frozen Chicken Nuggets, Tenders Recalled Over Possible Metal Contamination
Purdue has recalled thousands of frozen ready-to-eat chicken breast nuggets and tenders over possible metal contamination, said the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The contaminated items include 22-ounce Simply Smart organics breaded chicken breast nuggets, the 29-ounce chicken breast tenders, and the 22-ounce Butcher Box organic chicken breast nuggets.
In a news release, FSIS which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that all of the bags have a “best if used by” date of March 23, 2025. This recall also includes nearly 167,171 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat products, according to a report in NBC News. The agency said, “FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ freezers.”
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
Perdue Foods LLC in a news release said that “a foreign material was identified in a limited number of consumer packages.” FSIS said metal was found in the products and was discovered after consumer complaints about metal wire embedded in the food.
“We determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” said Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality. “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily recall all of these packages of products.”
What is Metal Toxicity?
Metal toxicity happens when microscopic molecules of metals start to accumulate within your body after exposure. These metals start to attach to your cells and prevent them from performing their functions and this causes symptoms that can be life-threatening.
Complications of Metal Toxicity
Cellular Damage
Metal toxicity can cause oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can cause damage to cellular components such as DNA, proteins and lipids. This oxidative stress affects normal cellular functions, thereby, leading to cell death and causing diseases like cancer.
Neurological Impact
Metals like lead and mercury can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the nervous system. This accumulation affects neurotransmitter function, thereby, causing cognitive deficits, behavioural changes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Kidney Dysfunction
The kidneys are important for filtering and excreting toxins and this includes heavy metals. Chronic exposure to metals like cadmium and uranium can lead to kidney damage by disrupting renal cell function, causing proteinuria and potentially leading to chronic kidney disease or renal failure.
Immune System Dysfunction
Certain metals, such as arsenic and cadmium can interfere with immune system function. They can suppress immune responses by impairing the activity of immune cells like T-cells and macrophages. This makes the body more susceptible to infections and reduces its ability to fight cancer.
Endocrine Disruption
Metals such as mercury and lead can act as endocrine disruptors by mimicking or blocking the action of hormones. This can result in hormonal imbalances, thereby, affecting growth, reproduction and metabolism. This can also lead to disorders such as thyroid dysfunction and reproductive issues.
