Applegate recalls some packaged chicken nuggets

About 9,000 packages of Applegate chicken nuggets have been recalled after some consumers found pieces of plastic in the product.

The chicken nuggets were made for Applegate — a division of Austin-based Hormel Foods — by an affiliate of Perdue Foods, one of the nation's largest chicken producers. The recall was announced Saturday by Applegate and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Perdue made the recalled products, which were sold in 8-ounce packages under the name "Applegate Naturals Chicken Nuggets." They were shipped to retail distribution centers in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

There have been no confirmed reports of ailments due to the consumption of the recalled chicken nuggets, according to the USDA.

The USDA deemed the recall "Class I," meaning there's a "reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."

The recall occurred after "a handful of consumers reported finding small plastic pieces" in their chicken nuggets, Applegate said in a statement. "We are working diligently to identify the source of the problem and will correct it immediately," said Steve Lykken, Applegate's president.

The 8-ounce packages affected by the recall bear the establishment number "P-2617" inside the USDA mark of inspection and a "best before" date of Sept. 27, 2016.