Popular Dino Nuggets Brand Is Being Recalled Due To Potential Lead Exposure

Parents and caregivers (and fans of dino-shaped foods) are being asked to look in their freezers as the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announces the recall of dino chicken nuggets over concerns that they could have been contaminated with lead.

The recall was announced April 1, 2026, and it includes ready-to-eat frozen nuggets that were sold nationwide beginning in February 2026. While the nuggets are already pulled from shelves, authorities worry that they may still be in homes.

As such, they are sharing the alert to ensure that people discontinue using the nuggets at once in an effort to avoid the potential for a negative health outcome. That's because there is no safe level of lead exposure for children, and consuming even small amounts of the toxin could result in neurological changes.

Keep reading to learn more about the safety alert being issued for the frozen dinosaur-shaped nuggets and what you need to do if you have them in your freezer at home.

The FSIS made the post at the start of April, alerting people about the issue that was uncovered with the Great Value brand nuggets sold by Walmart. According to the message, the agency was made aware of the issue during routine sampling, which was conducted by a state partner. The company was then alerted to the issue, which is when it pulled the 29-ounce bags of Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets from the shelves in stores.

However, due to the fact that these nuggets are frozen, FSIS worries that some people will still have them at home, which is why they are asking shoppers to check their dino nuggets to see if they are part of the sampled batch, which includes a best if used by date of "FEB 10 2027" and lot code 0416DPO1215, and an establishment number of P44164, which can be found on the back of the bag.

Those with questions about the recall are being told to email Dorada Foods at john.patrick@lopezdorada.com.

Lead is a heavy metal that can be found naturally in the environment or in other industrial materials, like in paint and construction dust. According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to the heavy metal can cause a variety of symptoms, especially in children who are most at risk of experiencing lead poisoning as a result of exposure. Some of the symptoms can include but aren't limited to:

• Developmental delays and learning challenges
• Irritability
• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Hearing loss
• Seizures

Adults may have different symptoms, which can include joint and muscle pain as well as high blood pressure. However, some people can have high levels of lead in their blood without ever showing symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, which makes it important to avoid lead exposure whenever possible.

Those with concerns about their child's possible lead exposure should reach out to your child's pediatrician directly for more information.