Frozen chicken nuggets and strips recalled for possible metal contamination; metal toxicity complications

Purdue has recalled thousands of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nuggets and strips for possible metal contaminationsaid the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The contaminated items include 22-ounce Simply Smart Organic Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets, 29-ounce Chicken Breast Strips and 22-ounce Butcher Box Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets.

In a press release, FSIS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said all of the bags have a “best by” date of March 23, 2025. This recall also includes nearly 167,171 pounds of ready-to-eat frozen products, according to a report by 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 discarded or returned to the place of purchase.”

In a press release, Perdue Foods LLC said that “foreign material was identified in a limited number of consumer packages.” The FSIS said metal was found in the products and that this was discovered after consumers filed complaints about metal wires embedded in food.

“We have determined that the material was a very fine 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 product packages.”

What is Toxicity of metals?

Metal toxicity occurs when microscopic metal molecules begin to build up in the body after exposure. These metals begin to attach to cells and prevent them from performing their functions, leading to potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Complications of metal toxicity

Cell damage

Metal toxicity can cause oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. This oxidative stress impairs normal cellular functions, leading to cell death and causing diseases such as cancer.

Neurological impact

Metals such as lead and mercury can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the nervous system. This buildup affects the functioning of neurotransmitters, leading to cognitive deficits, behavioral changes, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Kidney dysfunction

The kidneys are important for filtering and excreting toxins, including heavy metals. Chronic exposure to metals such as cadmium and uranium can cause kidney damage by disrupting kidney cell function, causing proteinuria and potentially leading to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

Immune system dysfunction

Certain metals, such as arsenic and cadmium, can interfere with the functioning of the immune system. They can suppress immune responses by affecting the activity of immune cells, such as 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 lead to hormonal imbalances affecting growth, reproduction and metabolism. This can also lead to disorders such as thyroid dysfunction and reproductive problems.