Voluntary Class II Recall Issued By Perdue Farms

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

The food maker, along with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, has issued a recall for APPLEGATE naturals brand chicken nuggets

A class II recall has been issued by the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and Perdue Farms, a Georgia-based firm, in business since 1920. The company’s Corporate Responsibility platform states, “We believe in responsible food and agriculture.” Perdue’s quick response to issuing this recall — one which is not considered especially critical — is proof of the company’s commitment. Jim Perdue, the chairman of Perdue Farms, touts its “foundation of trust,” its policy of transparency and its leadership in food safety.

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A Class II Recall, as described by the FDA, is the use of a product that may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. It also states that the probability of experiencing serious adverse health consequences is remote. The health risk, according to FSIS, is low.

Perdue issued the recall after receiving consumer complaints about small pieces of plastic found in its APPLEGATE naturals CHICKEN NUGGETS. This prompted the recall of approximately 15,306 pounds of frozen, fully-cooked chicken nuggets. The recalled product is packaged in eight-ounce boxes and sold under the APPLEGATE naturals brand with an establishment number — found inside the USDA Mark of Inspection — is “P2617” with the BEST BEFORE date of “02/05/15. Produced on Feb 5, 2014, the sell by date is exactly one year later, Feb 5, 2015. Perdue conducted a market withdrawal of the product on Aug 8, 2014, but cautions consumers to check their freezers. This product was distributed nationwide.

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Industry professionals or consumers with questions or concerns are invited to contact Gerry Clarkson, Applegate Consumer Relations Specialist at 800-587-5858. Recorded food safety messages are accessible 24/7 on the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854, in both English and Spanish.