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Over 90,000 pounds of Lean Cuisine baked chicken frozen meals sold nationwide were recalled because they may contain pieces of hard white plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced.
The problem was discovered on Dec. 18 after five consumers complained about white plastic being found in the meals. The manufacturer, Nestlé Prepared Foods of Springville, Utah, believes the entrée's mashed potatoes may be contaminated from a plastic conveyor belt that broke during production.
The recalled meals were produced and packaged on Sept. 2, 2020, and sold as “Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken, white meat chicken with stuffing, red skin mashed potatoes and gravy.” The products have a “best before” date of October 2021 with lot code 0246595911 and establishment number “EST. P-9018” printed on the side of its packaging.
Although the USDA has not received reports of injury or illness, regulators consider this a Class I recall, the highest level, because the product poses a high health risk including adverse health consequences or death. Consuming the plastic pieces could pose a choking or laceration hazard.
Check your freezer for Lean Cuisine baked chicken
This batch of Lean Cusine meals may be contaminated with plastic.
USDA
Since these meals may still be in freezers, consumers are urged to check any Lean Cuisine products they may have and throw away potentially affected baked chicken meals that may contain plastic or return them to the place of purchase.
No other production dates or batch codes of Lean Cuisine's baked chicken or other products are impacted by this recall. Since identifying the source of the plastic, Nestlé said it has fixed the issue and is working closely with the USDA on the recall.
"The quality, safety and integrity of Nestlé USA and Lean Cuisine products remain our number one priority,” said the company in a statement. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this action represents to both our consumers and retail customers."
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Nestlé Prepared Foods at 800- 993-8625.
