Public health officials have warned that kid-friendly dinosaur-shaped nuggets sold in Walmart stores may contain unsafe levels of lead.
US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service Public health warning issued Wednesday for frozen, fully cooked, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets.
The trace amounts of lead were found in the nuggets during routine monitoring sampling by a state partner, officials said.
It is unclear how the product became contaminated.
Food may come into contact with lead It is a result of the environment in which it is grown or processed. The Food and Drug Administration stated that it is not possible to completely prevent lead from entering the food supply, but it may be possible to reduce its levels through changes in agricultural or manufacturing processes.
There is no safe amount of lead in food products. The FDA determines the public health risk of lead levels in a food product by considering measured lead toxicity levels in food and estimated consumption. According to the FDA, the reference level for lead poisoning for children is 2.2 micrograms.
Authorities have warned that the amount of lead found in Dino Nuggets could be five times the reference level for children.
The recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase, but officials are concerned that bags of frozen nuggets may still be in consumers’ freezers.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with potentially contaminated products.
Description of Corrupted Dino Nuggets
The contaminated nugget was produced on February 10, 2026.
29-oz. The plastic bag is labeled “Great Value” and is best if used by February 10, 2027.
The lot code is “0416DPO1215” and the install number is “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.
where the product was sold
Bags of ready-to-eat dino-shaped nuggets were sold in Walmart stores nationwide.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service officials did not disclose which specific locations Walmart sold the product.
The investigation is still going on.
What should you do if you have a bag of Dino Nuggets
Officials said consumers who purchased a bag of nuggets should not consume them.
The bag should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Side effects of lead exposure
Lead is poisonous to humans of any age or health condition. It is extremely harmful for pregnant women, infants and children.
According to the FDA, adverse effects depend on the level of lead in the food, the age of the consumer, and the frequency of exposure.
Short-term or very low level exposure may not cause any symptoms beyond elevated lead levels in a blood test.
If a child is exposed to enough lead over a long period of time (weeks to months), permanent damage to the central nervous system can occur. According to the FDA, this can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems.
For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, and neurological effects.
