Blue plastic reported in Lean Cuisine leads to heavy recall

United States, November 19: Nestle Prepared Foods Co. has recalled 900,000 Pounds of Lean Cuisine frozen meals after seven consumers reported that they found small bits of blue plastic in their Lean Cuisine dinners. One consumer also reported an injury.

The USDA considered the blue plastic a potential health threat calling it a "health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." Spokesperson for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Amanda Eamich cautioned, “It could cause injury -- a piece of plastic could cut your mouth, it could scratch your throat."

Blue plastic has been reported mainly in three varieties of Lean Cuisine; Pesto Chicken with Bow Tie Pasta, the Chicken Mediterranean and the Chicken Tuscan.

So far, no injury has been reported requiring medical attention, stated Roz O'Hearn, spokeswoman for the Nestle Prepared Foods. She further said, “We do have very rigorous quality protection and in this particular case some blue plastic appeared to be mixed into the lot. It’s unfortunate, but as soon as we found out about it we wanted to go take care of it.”

USDA assessed that the contaminated dinners were produced between Aug. 18 and Oct. 27 this year. These packages have been distributed nationwide, however, it is not yet known which specific regions received the contaminated shipment.

Consumers can find out whether their meals are affected by looking at the bar code or UPC label on the boxes and calling Lean Cuisine at (800) 993-8625. After calling the number Press 2, and then Press 1 for a recorded message by Lean Cuisine. Printed on the side of each package is a production code of 8280595912 as well as a use-by date of "Best Before May 2010".

Nestle has requested the consumers to return the mentioned items directly to their supermarket and get the refund.

Frozen foods have been essential food items in American homes, convenience being the primary reason. But, that convenience comes with a compromise with your health. Nothing beats home cooked food.