USDA issues health alert for frozen taquitos and chimichangas that may contain plastic, posing choking hazard

Several kinds of frozen beef and chicken taquitos and chimicangas are included in a new public health alert because they may contain plastic.

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert Saturday for ready-to-eat products that contain "diced green chilies that have been recalled by the producer, Sun Valley Foods, due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard plastic."

According to the alert, the "plastic may pose a choking hazard or cause damage to teeth or gums." 

Select products under José Olé, Casa Mamita and Walmart's Great Value brand are listed in the USDA notice.

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The USDA is urging consumers not to consume these products and says they should be thrown out or returned. There have been "no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products."

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The products were produced by Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. in Lampasas, Texas, and San Diego and shipped to retail locations nationwide. The products have the establishment number “EST 5590,” “P5590” or “EST. 17417” printed on the packaging above the expiration date. 

"FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of the utmost of caution to ensure that consumers are aware that these products, which bear the USDA mark of inspection, should not be consumed," the alert said.

The affected products are:

• 19.2-ounce carton containing 16 pieces labeled as “Great Value Flour Chicken Taquitos Tortillas Stuffed with All White Chicken Meat & Monterey Jack Cheese” with a best if used by date of “11 JUL 2021” and “P5590” printed on the side panel.
• 20-ounce carton containing 20 pieces labeled as “Casa Mamita Beef Taquitos Rolled in Corn Tortillas” with a best by date of “26 JUN 2021” and “EST 5590” printed on the side panel.
• 22.5-ounce carton containing 15 pieces labeled as “Casa Mamita Chicken and Cheese Taquitos Rolled in Flour Tortillas” with a best by date of “26 JUN 2021” and “P5590” printed on the side panel.
• 15-ounce carton containing 15 taquitos labeled as “José Olé Taquitos Chicken and Cheese Pollo Y Queso in Flour Tortillas” with a best by date of “08 JUL 2021” or “18 JUL 2021,” and “P5590” printed on the side panel.
• 20-oz. carton containing 20 taquitos labeled as “José Olé Taquitos Beef Carne De Res in Corn Tortillas” with a best by date of “08 JUL 2021” and “EST 5590” printed on the side panel.
• 22.5-ounce carton containing 15 taquitos labeled as “José Olé Taquitos Chicken and Cheese Pollo Y Queso in Flour Tortillas” with a best by date of “09 JUL 2021,” “14 JUL 2021” or “17 JUL 2021” and “P5590” printed on the side panel.
• 55.5-ounce carton containing 37 taquitos labeled as “José Olé Value Pack Taquitos Chicken and Cheese Pollo Y Queso in Flour Tortillas” with a best if used by date of “15 JUL 2021” and “P5590” printed on the side panel.
• 60-ounce carton containing 60 taquitos labeled as “José Olé Taquitos Beef Carne De Res in Corn Tortillas” with a best if used by date of “9 JUL 2021” or “10 JUL 2021,” and “EST 5590” printed on the side panel.
• 5-ounce individual plastic bag containing “José Olé Chimichangas Loaded Beef Nacho” with a best by date of “15 JUL 2021” and “EST. 17417” printed on the label.

According to the USDA, Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. discovered the problem "when they identified pieces of hard plastic in their production process and in a barrel of diced green chilies that was received from their ingredients supplier, Sun Valley Foods."

Consumers with questions can contact Ajinomoto Foods at 855-742-5011

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko