USDA Alerts on Lead in Walmart Dino Chicken Nuggets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert on April 1, 2026, warning consumers about possible lead contamination in a specific batch of frozen, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets sold at Walmart stores nationwide.

The affected product is Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets, packaged in 29-ounce plastic bags containing about 36 pieces. Produced on February 10, 2026, the nuggets carry a "Best If Used By" date of February 10, 2027, along with lot code 0416DPO1215 and establishment number P44164 printed on the back of the bag. Although no formal recall has been ordered because the items are no longer available for purchase in stores, officials expressed concern that some packages may remain in consumers' freezers.

The contamination was detected during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner, according to the FSIS. The agency is continuing its investigation and has indicated that additional products could be added to the alert if further testing reveals similar issues. Lead levels in the nuggets were found to be as much as five times higher than the Food and Drug Administration's interim...