In a fowl twist, Perdue recalled 167,171 pounds of chicken nuggets and tenders after discovering they were turned into accidental metal detectors, sparking a nationwide 'nugget hunt.'

Perdue Foods LLC has issued a recall for several of its popular frozen chicken products, including Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets and Butcherbox Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets, after metal wire fragments were discovered within them. Although there have been no reported injuries, consumers are advised to either dispose of the affected products or return them to their place of purchase. With a 'Best If Used By' date of March 23, 2025, these unwittingly crunchy nuggets were distributed nationwide, causing quite a stir—and not the delicious kind.

The recall pertains to 22-ounce packages of Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets, 29-ounce Chicken Breast Tenders, and 22-ounce packages of Butcherbox Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets. Think of it as a cautionary tale of nuggets gone rogue, packaged perilously with an additional, unexpected element—metal wire fragments.

The products in question were manufactured on March 23 and quickly made their way to retail shelves and online stores across the nation. Consumers have until March 23, 2025, to stumble upon the elusive, less-chewable nuggets, but Perdue is asking people to avoid that unpleasant experience altogether by either tossing the suspect chicken or returning it for a refund.

The total weight of the potentially metallic chicken tops 167,171 pounds. While that number might give rise to visions of a gigantic poultry flock turned into robot chicken, it boils down to pockets of metal wire sneaking into the batches. So far, nobody has been harmed or injured by the unwelcome additives.

Perdue Foods LLC acknowledged the odd mix-up in a recent news release, admitting that foreign material had been uncovered in a 'limited number' of packages. Limited though it may be, the precise extent of the metallic infiltration is enough to warrant a broad recall. Guess it's better to play it safe and avoid any unplanned dental work!

For residents who already have dinner plans involving these nuggets, the good news is that Perdue has set up a consumer hotline at 866-866-3703 to address any pressing questions or concerns. If the idea of metallic crunch in your nuggets leaves you yearning for more substantial information, the USDA's meat and poultry hotline at 888-674-6854 stands ready to field any food safety questions.

Interestingly, this isn't Perdue's first brush with having to recall products, although bringing a metallic twist to their famous chicken might be one for the record books. Normally, one doesn't associate chicken nuggets with impromptu dental check-ups, but here we are, thoroughly in 2023's flavor curve.

In an effort to make sure no one faces the dilemma of trading their molars for their meal, Perdue's recall notice stresses immediate action: don't eat those nuggets. The company encourages consumers to act responsibly and either throw away these metallic marvels or return them to the store for a full refund.

All our dreams of crunchy nuggets notwithstanding, it's a relief that no injuries have been reported. Consumers with a dubious bag of chicken in their freezer might want to steer clear of any potential snack sabotage. It's one way to turn a peaceful dinner into a treacherous quest.

At least, amidst the metal madness, a silver lining exists: Perdue's quick action and transparent communication are aimed at regaining consumer trust. So while these rebellious nuggets might go down in recall history, hopefully, future Perdue products will remain strictly metallic-free.

Next time you reach for a bag of chicken nuggets in the frosty aisles, you might find yourself giving it a little shake, ensuring that it sings the sweet tune of pure poultry, void of all foreign clatter. Until then, keep that frying pan handy, but no need for a metal detector.