Purdue has recalled thousands of frozen ready-to-eat chicken breast nuggets and tenders due to a potential hazard. Metal contaminationThe Food Safety and Inspection Service said. The contaminated items include 22-ounce Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets, 29-ounce Chicken Breast Tenders and 22-ounce Butcher Box Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets.

In a news release, FSIS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said all of the bags carry a “best by” date of March 23, 2025. According to a report by NBC News, the recall also includes about 167,171 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat products. “FSIS is concerned that some of the product may be in consumers’ freezers,” the agency said.

“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.”

Purdue Foods LLC said in a news release that “a foreign material was identified in a limited number of consumer packages.” FSIS said the metal was found in the products and was discovered after consumer complaints about metal wires embedded in food.

“We discovered that this material is a very thin thread of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” said Jeff Shaw, Purdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality. “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily recall all packages of these products.”

What is Metal poisoning,

Metal poisoning occurs when tiny molecules of metal start to accumulate in your body. These metals start to stick to your cells and prevent them from doing their job and this leads to symptoms that can be life-threatening.

Complications of metal poisoning

cellular 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 affects normal cellular functions, leading to cell death and diseases such as cancer.

Neurological effects

Metals such as lead and mercury can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the nervous system. This accumulation affects neurotransmitter function, 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 and this includes heavy metals. Chronic exposure to metals such as cadmium and uranium can impair kidney cell function, leading to proteinuria and potentially 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 disrupting 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. It can also cause disorders such as thyroid dysfunction and reproductive problems.

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