WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is warning consumers about frozen dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets sold at Walmart that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert Tuesday for Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets produced Feb. 10, 2026. The products are no longer available for purchase, but officials are concerned some may still be in consumers’ freezers.
The affected product is sold in 29-ounce plastic bags containing approximately 36 nuggets with a “Best If Used By” date of Feb. 10, 2027, lot code 0416DPO1215, and establishment number P44164 printed on the back of the bag.
The nuggets were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner.
Lead is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and young children because it can harm developing brains and nervous systems, sometimes causing lasting problems. There is no safe amount of lead exposure.
The Food and Drug Administration provides an interim reference level of 2.2 micrograms. The amount of lead found in these nuggets could be as much as five times higher than this interim reference level for children. Health experts say the nuggets may be a risk for women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant.
Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions can contact John Patrick Lopez, vice president of strategy, communications, and government affairs at Dorada Foods, at john.patrick@lopezdorada.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or email MPHotline@usda.gov. To report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, visit https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
