WASHINGTON — Tyson Foods Inc.is recalling approximately 11,829,517 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on May 4. This is an expansion of a March 21 recall that consisted of 69,093 pounds or products.
The frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip items were produced on various dates from Oct. 1, 2018, through March 8, 2019, and have “Use By Dates” of Oct. 1, 2019 through March 7, 2020.
This recall includes Tyson branded products, as well as private label products made for customers. A complete list of products subject to the recall can be obtained at www.fsis.usda.gov.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-7221” on the back of the product package. These items were shipped to retail and Department of Defense locations nationwide, for institutional use nationwide and to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The problem was discovered when FSIS received two consumer complaints of extraneous material in the chicken strip products. FSIS is now aware of six complaints during this time frame involving similar pieces of metal with three alleging oral injury.
“Consumers expect that the food they eat is safe. In their best interest and in an abundance of caution we’re taking quick and decisive action to expand this recall,” said Dr. Barbara Masters, vice president of regulatory food policy, food and agriculture for Tyson Foods. “Our company is taking corrective action at the location that makes these products. We have discontinued use of the specific equipment believed to be associated with the metal fragments, and we will be installing metal-detecting X-ray machinery to replace the plant’s existing metal detection system. We will also be using a third-party video auditing system for metal detection verification.”
“Safety is at the core of everything we do,” Masters added. “We’re committed to producing safe, healthy food that our consumers and customers can rely on every day. It is unacceptable to Tyson Foods that any product might not meet our standards. Because of these additional consumer reports, we’ve decided to take this precautionary step to make sure that we’re meeting our own expectations and the expectation of consumers.”
Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is concerned that some product 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.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Tyson Foods Consumer Relations 866-886-8456.
