Consumers urged to check freezers as Wegmans Chicken Nuggets pose safety risk

Pranjal Chandra | THE TIMES OF INDIA NEWS SERVICE | Jan 30, 2025, 15:40 IST
Consumers urged to check freezers as Wegmans Chicken Nuggets pose safety risk
( Image credit : AP )
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for Wegmans chicken nuggets due to potential bone fragments. Consumers are advised to check for affected packages, identified by establishment code 'P-33944,' and discard or return them to avoid hazards such as choking or internal injuries.
A routine meal could turn into an unpleasant surprise for consumers who recently purchased frozen Wegmans brand chicken nuggets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert, warning that certain packages of the product may contain bone fragments. While no injuries have been reported, the agency is urging customers to check their freezers and discard any affected packages.

The product in question is the “Wegmans Family Pack Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Breast with Rib Meat,” sold in 46-ounce packages. According to the FSIS, these nuggets were produced on August 26, 2024, and bear a best-if-used-by date of August 26, 2025. Consumers can identify the affected packages by checking for the establishment code “P-33944” inside the USDA inspection seal. The product was distributed to Wegmans stores across Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

The issue came to light after multiple customers reported finding bone fragments in the nuggets. In response, Wegmans notified federal food safety officials, who then issued the public health warning. Despite the concern, the FSIS has not requested a full recall since the product is no longer available for sale in stores. However, they stress that some consumers may still have these nuggets stored in their freezers, unknowingly keeping a potential hazard in their homes.

While no one has suffered confirmed injuries from consuming the product, food safety experts warn that ingesting bone fragments can lead to choking, dental damage, or internal injuries. The FSIS strongly advises against consuming the affected chicken nuggets and recommends disposing of them immediately or returning them to the store where they were purchased.

Wegmans, a popular regional supermarket chain known for its commitment to quality, has yet to release an official statement regarding the health alert. This incident serves as a reminder that even fully cooked and inspected food products can sometimes pose unexpected risks. Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant about product warnings and food safety notices to protect themselves and their families.

The FSIS continues to monitor the situation and urges anyone who experiences health issues related to this product to seek medical attention and report the incident to food safety authorities. In the meantime, those who may have purchased the affected nuggets should take action immediately to avoid potential harm.

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