Baby & Toddler Food Recalls: A Comprehensive List of Major Recent & Past Reports

 

Overview

A study released in 2019 estimated that 95% of baby food products on the market contain harmful chemicals and toxic heavy metals — and many are from the most popular brands. (1)(2)

These baby foods contain dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium.

Exposure to these heavy metals can cause permanent damage to your baby’s brain development. It may also lead to IQ decrease and antisocial behavior. (3)(4)

In June 2023, Consumer Reports released the results of repeat tests conducted on some baby foods categorized as “concerning” in their 2018 tests. 

Although some of the products showed improvement, most still contain high levels of heavy metals. (Read more about the new study here)

In January 2023, the FDA finally proposed lead limits as a result of these findings. (5)(6)

In May 2024, US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation that aims to limit heavy metals in commercial baby food. Under the Baby Food Safety Act of 2024, scientifically-established standards will be set for sampling and testing commercial baby foods to check for toxic heavy metals and other contaminants. It will apply to domestic and imported products. (106)

There was a recall on Once Upon a Farm in May 2024. Below, you’ll find the details, and a comprehensive list of baby food recalls in previous years.

In June 2024, Consumer Reports found high lead levels in four popular veggie puff products from two ‘clean’ baby food brands, Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids. However, these products weren’t recalled. Both defended their products’ safety, but Lesser Evil promised to phase out using cassava flour (which might have high lead levels) from their puff snacks. (105)

What are these proposed lead limits? Have the contaminated products been recalled? Did the baby food makers resolve the problem and compensate affected consumers?

Keep reading to get answers.

Also see our list of baby product recalls here.

 

Alarming 2021 Congressional Report On Foods Known To Have Contained High Levels of Heavy Metals

In February 2021, a congressional report by the Congressional Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy called out major baby food manufacturers, including Gerber, for selling products tainted with dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals. (2)

These name brands were listed:

• Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY and HappyTOT)
• Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
• Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
• Gerber
• Campbell’s Plum Organics
• Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
• Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)

 

None of the brands issued a recall after the Congressional Report was released. 

In June and October of the same year, Beech-Nut and Parent’s Choice recalled some products due to high arsenic levels (see below). However, these recalls were done after routine tests, not due to the Subcommittee’s report.

Eight months later, the same subcommittee released a second baby food report in September 2021.

This follow-up report found that many of the same brands called out previously were still producing and under-reporting baby products that tested at much higher levels than considered safe.

According to the Congressional Report, Campbell, Walmart, and Sprout refused to cooperate. (2)

So, the Subcommittee expressed concern that these baby food companies might be hiding higher levels of toxic elements in their products. (2)

Nurture, Hain, Beech-Nut, and Gerber provided the House Subcommittee with their test results and internal product testing policies. (2)

But the Subcommittee was alarmed after these baby food manufacturers reported test results of products containing very high levels of heavy metals: (2)

• Inorganic arsenic
• Lead
• Cadmium
• Mercury

 

Their test results showed that the products had heavy metals several times the maximum allowable levels set by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

 

FDA maximum limits in ppb (parts per billion) for bottled water: (7)

• 10 ppb inorganic arsenic

• 5 ppb lead

• 5 ppb cadmium

 

FDA maximum limits for infant rice cereal:

• 100 ppb inorganic arsenic

 

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit for drinking water (may also apply to food):

• 2 ppb mercury

 

Instead of complying with regulators, these baby food manufacturers created internal standards that allowed dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals: (2)

• Nurture (arsenic): 115 ppb
• Beech-Nut (arsenic): 3,000 ppb
• Beech-Nut (cadmium): 3,000 ppb
• Beech-Nut (lead): 5,000 ppb
• Hain (arsenic): 200 ppb
• Hain (lead): 200 ppb
• Hain (cadmium): 200 ppb

 

Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY)

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 180 ppb for Apple & Broccoli Puffs
• Up to 160 for Banana & Pumpkin Puffs
• Up to 160 for Strawberry & Beet Puffs
• Up to 100 ppb for more than 25% of all Nurture products

 

Lead:

• Up to 641 ppb for Blueberry Purple Carrot
• Up to 560 ppb for Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
• Up to 10 ppb for nearly 20% of all Nurture vegetable and rice products

 

Cadmium:

• Up to 49 ppb in Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
• Up to 36 ppb in Strawberry Raspberry
• Up to 5 ppb in 65% of baby products

 

Mercury:

• Up to 10 ppb in Brown Rice Cereal Canister
• Up to 9.8 ppb in Banana Sweet Potato

 

Findings/Response:

• Nurture is the only baby food manufacturer that regularly tests finished products for heavy metals. The others only test ingredients.

 

In response to the investigation, Nurture told the Subcommittee: (2)

“Our heavy metal testing is performed as part of our monitoring program and not as a condition of product release. All of the products that were tested were sold into commerce.”

 

Are HappyBABY Products Safe & Healthy?

Some HappyBABY food products also tested positive for heavy metal content in the 2019 Healthy Babies Brighter Future report: (1)

• HappyBABY Organic Rice Cakes Puffed Rice Snack – Apple (455 ppb arsenic; 1.7 ppb lead; 5.4 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Superfood Puffs Organic Grain Snack – Sweet Potato & Carrot (295 ppb arsenic; 3.7 ppb lead; 12.2 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Superfood Puffs – Apple & Broccoli Organic Grain Snack – for crawling baby (266 ppb arsenic; 8.2 ppb lead; 11 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Organic Teethers Blueberry & Purple Carrot – Sitting baby (67 ppb arsenic; 6 ppb lead; 8.2 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Sweet Potatoes – Stage 1 (27.5 ppb arsenic; 2.0 ppb lead)
• HappyBABY Oats & Quinoa Baby Cereal Organic Whole Grains with Iron – Sitting baby (10.2 ppb arsenic; 12.4 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Organic Pears – Stage 1 (7.4 ppb arsenic; 1.0 ppb lead)
• HappyBABY Oatmeal Baby Cereal, Clearly Crafted – Organic Whole Grains – for sitting baby (6.3 ppb arsenic; 10 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Organics Sweet Potatoes – Stage 1 (6 ppb arsenic; 2.2 ppb lead)
• HappyBABY Organics Sweet Potatoes – Stage 1 (5.8 ppb arsenic; 1.5 ppb lead)
• HappyBABY Simple Combos Apples, Spinach & Kale – 2 (4.3 ppb lead; 4.9 ppb cadmium)
• HappyBABY Apples, Sweet Potatoes & Granola Clearly Crafted Organic Baby Food – 2 (3.6 ppb arsenic; 5.2 ppb lead)
• HappyBABY Clearly Crafted Prunes Organic Baby Food, 1, 4+ months (2.0 ppb lead)

 

Despite the possible presence of heavy metals in the HappyBABY foods mentioned above, their other products might still be safe and healthy for your little ones.

The company has also pulled some baby food products off the market, including the cereals. 

 

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 913.4 ppb in ingredients.
• Over 300 ppb in additives used in their products

 

Lead:

• Up to 886.9 ppb in ingredients.

 

Cadmium:

• Up to 344.55 ppb in its ingredients.

 

Mercury:

• No test for mercury.

 

Actions Taken:

• Beech-Nut set very high internal maximum levels for heavy metals. So, all their ingredients passed their internal standards but actually failed government regulations and federal standards. (2)

 

Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 129 ppb in baby products
• Up to 309 ppb in ingredients
• The company only tested their ingredients, not the finished products.

 

Lead:

• Up to 352 ppb in ingredients (vitamin premix)

 

Cadmium:

• Up to 260 ppb in ingredients

 

Mercury:

• No test for mercury

 

Actions Taken:

• Hain admits to the Subcommittee that they’re only using “theoretical calculations” on their test results. (2)

 

Gerber

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 90 ppb in tested ingredients from 67 batches of rice flour

 

Lead:

• Up to 48 ppb in ingredients (sweet potatoes)

 

Cadmium:

• Over 5 ppb in 75% of carrot ingredients
• Up to 87 ppb in some carrot batches
• The company doesn’t test the other ingredients for this heavy metal.

 

Mercury:

• No test for mercury.

 

Do Gerber Baby Food Products Contain Lead?

Lead was found in sweet potato ingredients used in some Gerber baby food products, according to the Congressional Report above. (2)

Some Gerber products also tested positive for lead in the 2019 Healthy Babies Bright Future report. These include the following products, arranged from the highest lead content to the lowest: (1)

• Gerber Sweet Potato – Sitter 2nd Food (29.3 ppb)
• Gerber Sweet Potato Supported Sitter 1st Foods Tub (20.3 ppb)
• Gerber Sweet Potato – Supported Sitter 1st Foods (14.6 ppb)
• Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits – Crawler 10+ months (12.5 ppb)
• Gerber Fruit & Veggie Melts – Truly Tropical Blend – FreezeDried Fruit & Vegetable Snack – Crawler, 8+ months (12.2 ppb)
• Gerber Diced Carrots Veggie Pick-Ups (11.8 ppb)
• Gerber Carrot – Supported Sitter 1st Foods (11 ppb)
• Gerber Carrot – Sitter 2nd food (9.4 ppb)
• Gerber Puffs Banana Cereal Snack – Crawler 8+ months (9.2 ppb)
• Gerber Carrot Sweet Potato Pea – Sitter 2nd Foods (6.7 ppb)
• Gerber Whole Wheat Whole Grain Cereal – Sitter 2nd Foods (5.5 ppb)
• Gerber MultiGrain Cereal – Sitter 2nd Foods (5.3 ppb)
• Gerber Turkey Rice Dinner – Sitter 2nd Foods (5.2 ppb)
• Gerber Rice Single Grain Cereal (3.9 ppb)
• Gerber Carrot Pear Blackberry – Sitter 2nd Foods (3.6 ppb)
• Gerber Lil’ Sticks Chicken Sticks – Toddler (3.5 ppb)
• Gerber Apple Sweet Potato with Cinnamon – Toddler 12+ months (3.1 ppb)
• Gerber Barley Single Grain Cereal – Supported Sitter 1st Foods (3 ppb)
• Gerber Peach – Sitter 2nd Foods (2.4 ppb)
• Gerber Mashed Potatoes & Gravy with Roasted Chicken and a Side of Carrots – Toddler (2.4 ppb)
• Gerber Chicken Rice Dinner – Sitter 2nd Foods (2.3 ppb)
• Gerber Beef and Gravy 2nd foods (2.1 ppb)
• Gerber Teether Wheels – Apple Harvest – Crawlers  (2.1 ppb)
• Gerber Organic Apple Blueberry Spinach – Sitter 2nd Food (1.5 ppb)
• Gerber Pear – Sitter 2nd foods (1.1 ppb)
• Gerber Organic Mango Apple Carrot Kale – Sitter 2nd foods (1.1 ppb)
• Gerber Ham and Gravy 2nd foods (1 ppb)
• Gerber Yogurt Blends Strawberry Snack – Crawler 8+ months (1 ppb)
• Gerber Green Bean – Sitter 2nd Food (0.8 ppb)
• Gerber Pea – Sitter 2nd foods (0.7 ppb)
• Gerber Green Bean – Supported Sitter 1st Foods (0.7 ppb)

 

However, even with these results, it doesn’t automatically mean that all the brand’s products are affected. 

 

Was There A Recall On Gerber Baby Food Products in 2021?

No. Gerber didn’t issue a baby food recall in 2021.

According to the Congressional Report, it was concerning that companies such as Gerber failed to disclose the alarming results to the public. 

They also kept these tainted products on the market thereby failing to protect consumers. (2)

Spearheading the subcommittee reports is Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who released this statement on his official Instagram page:

“My Subcommittee’s investigation has pulled back the curtain on the baby food industry, and each revelation has been more damning than the last. 

I’ve released a new report on toxic metals in baby food, including popular brands such as Gerber’s Infant Rice Cereal products containing dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic.  

We trust these companies with our babies, and they have failed us.”

 

Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics)

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 3.1 ppb

 

Lead:

• Up to 5.6 ppb

 

Cadmium:

• Up to 2.3 ppb

 

Mercury:

• Less than 0.142 ppb

 

Actions Taken:

• Results are for Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food.
• The results above are from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. (1)
• Campbell refused to submit actual test results or standards/criteria they used for the tests. Instead, the company provided a report that each product “meets criteria” to the Subcommittee.

 

Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 56.1 ppb in (A) Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack 
• Up to 108 ppb in (B) Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks

 

Lead:

• Up to 5.2 ppb in (A)

• Up to 26.9 ppb in (B)

 

Cadmium:

• Up to 26.1 ppb in (A)
• Up to 2.4 ppb in (B)

 

Mercury:

• Up to 0.941 ppb in (A)
• Up to 2.05 ppb in (B)

 

Actions Taken:

• The above results are from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. (1)
• Walmart didn’t submit test results to the Subcommittee.

 

Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)

Inorganic Arsenic:

• Up to 107 ppb

 

Lead:

• Up to 39.3 ppb

 

Cadmium:

• Up to 41.5 ppb

 

Mercury:

• Up to 1.31 ppb

 

Actions Taken:

• Results are for Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
• The results listed are from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. (1)
• Sprout never responded to the Subcommittee.

 

Are Sprout Baby Food Products Safe & Healthy?

The following are the results for some Sprout baby food products in the 2019 Healthy Babies Brighter Future report: (1)

• Sprout Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale (107 ppb arsenic; 39.3 ppb lead; 41.5 ppb cadmium)
• Sprout Organic Crispy Chews Red Fruit Beet & Berry with Crispy Brown Rice Toddler Fruit Snack (19.2 ppb arsenic; 7.7 ppb lead; 1.2 ppb cadmium)
• Sprout Garden Vegetables Brown Rice with Turkey – for 8 months & up, Stage 3 (7.2 ppb arsenic; 1.6 ppb lead; 2.5 ppb cadmium)
• Sprout Carrot Apple Mango Organic Baby Food – 2, 6 months & up (6.1 ppb arsenic; 2.1 ppb lead; 15.1 ppb cadmium)
• Sprout Prunes Organic Baby Food – 1 starting solids (3.9 ppb arsenic; 6.1 ppb lead)
• Sprout Butternut Chickpea Quinoa & Dates Organic Baby Food (2.3 ppb arsenic; 0.8 ppb lead)

 

Like the other brands, some of Sprout baby food products tested positive for heavy metal content. However, this also doesn’t mean that all their baby foods are affected.

 

What You Should Know

• Healthy Babies Bright Futures and other organizations call for baby food manufacturers to set a goal of zero levels of inorganic arsenic in all baby foods.
• Consumer Reports suggests changing the maximum inorganic arsenic levels to 3 ppb in baby foods. That’s lower than the current FDA and EPA limit of 10 ppb.
• Consumer Reports also wants to lower cadmium limits to 1 ppb in fruit juices.

 

Frustrated With These Baby Food Recalls? What You Can Do

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) advises offering your baby a variety of foods to reduce the levels of lead and other toxic heavy metals in their diet. (8)

Healthy Babies Bright Futures and Consumer Reports recommend the following healthier food options for young children: (1)

 

High-Risk Food: Snacks (including puffs) made from rice flour

Heavy Metals: Arsenic, lead, and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives: 

• Rice-free packaged snacks
• Multi-grain snacks
• Apples
• Applesauce (unsweetened)
• Bananas
• Barley with diced vegetables
• Beans
• Cheese
• Grapes
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Peaches
• Yogurt 

 

High-Risk Food: Rice rusks and teething biscuits

Heavy Metals: Arsenic, lead, and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives: 

• Frozen banana
• Peeled and chilled cucumber

 

High-Risk Food: Single grain rice cereal

Heavy Metals: Arsenic

Healthier Alternatives:

• Non-rice and multi-grain cereals
• Oatmeal
• Corn
• Barley
• Quinoa

 

High-Risk Food: Fruit juices from apple, pear, grape, and others

Heavy Metals: Lead and arsenic

Healthier Alternatives: 

• Whole or pureed fruits (applesauce)

 

High-Risk Food: Carrots and sweet potatoes

Heavy metals: Lead and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives: 

• These vegetables are important in your baby’s diet.
• They’re rich in vitamin A and other nutrients.
• Limit your baby’s intake of these vegetables.
• Serve these vegetables with others so they won’t be taken in excess.

 

Healthier Baby Food Brands

We’ve found the following baby food brands to be safe alternatives:

• Serenity Kids
• Little Spoon (subscription-based)
• Once Upon A Farm
• Cerebelly
• Amara
• Yumi 

 

Which Baby Foods Do Not Contain Heavy Metals?

Here are our recommendations for healthier baby food products that are free from harmful chemicals, including heavy metals:

Serenity Kids

Read our Editor-in-Chief’s interview with Serenity Kids’ founders here.

Bison Baby Food Pouch with Organic Squash

 

Grass Feed Beef & Ginger with Organic Pea, Bell Pepper and Broccoli

 

Cerebelly

Kale Sweet Potato Apple Puree

 

Beet Carrot Blueberry with Coconut Milk Puree

Amara

Potato and Kale Mash

 

Ancient Grain Cereal with Fruit Bites

Little Spoon

Pitaya Coconut Bowl Baby Blend

 

Quinoa Raspberry Pudding Baby Blend

Once Upon A Farm

Organic Plant-Rich Meals

 

Advanced Nutrition Power Bowl

Baby Food Safety Act Of 2021

US PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) and Consumer Reports call on Congress to pass the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021. (9)

This law will require the FDA to adopt stricter limits for baby foods.

It will also require baby food manufacturers to test and disclose test results to parents and regulators.

 

Baby Food Recall (News & Updates)

Lawyers Call For Toxic Metal Testing On Baby Food

Update: March 21, 2024

 

Amid the alarming lead issue on several applesauce products, a group of lawyers who wish to remain anonymous called for the FDA to impose toxic metal testing on baby food and other products for children. They suggested tests on lead and other toxic elements. (103)

 

Lawsuits Filed Against Baby Food Companies

Update: March 10, 2023

 

A lawsuit filed in Southern California against the baby food companies in the Congressional report by Attorney Pedram Esfandiary’s group alleges that these tainted foods can cause ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and autism. (10)

The case was given the go-signal after Esfandiary’s team invited experts to explain how heavy metals interact with the brain. (10)

 

Baby Food Companies Facing a Lawsuit Over Products With Heavy Metals

Were There Any Gerber Baby Food Lawsuits?

Yes. Gerber was among the companies sued for their alleged heavy metal content after the Congressional Report was released. (37)(38)

The baby food companies won the case. In September 2023, California Superior Court, Los Angeles County Judge Lawrence P. Riff ruled that the evidence presented by the toxicology expert brought in for the trial was “unreliable.” (37)(38)

According to reports, the judge didn’t accept it because the toxicology expert only based his conclusions on his “assumptions” in terms of the dose or amount of the heavy metal ingested. (37)(38)

The lawsuit had alleged that heavy metals in these baby food products may have been a “substantial factor” that led to autism spectrum disorder and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) experienced by 9-year-old Noah Cantabrana. (38)

In October 2022, a judge in Virginia also dismissed a lawsuit against Gerber because the plaintiffs (the people who brought the case to court) were unable to prove that there was actual or imminent injury caused by the ingestion of possibly tainted products from the brand. (39)

Another case was filed in Nevada in 2021, alleging that the baby food manufacturers Gerber, Beech-Nut, Earth’s Best Organic (Hain), and Happy Baby (Nurture) “knowingly sold” their tainted products. No update was provided for this case. (42)

 

Were These Beech-Nut Baby Food Lawsuits?

Yes. Beech-Nut was also among the baby food companies sued at the California Superior Court alongside Gerber. (37)(38)

The company reportedly acknowledged that their products may contain “minuscule” levels of heavy metals that occur naturally. They also pointed out that the court didn’t find proof that the plaintiff’s child’s ADHD or autism was caused by these food items. (37)(38)

The brand was also named in the 2021 Nevada lawsuit against baby food manufacturers. (42)

 

Were There Sprout Organic Baby Food Recalls & Lawsuits?

In April 2022, a New Jersey court dismissed a lawsuit against Sprout Foods Inc., stating that the allegations about their products’ potential to cause harm are “simply speculative.”

According to reports, the judge quoted the FDA’s March 2021 “FDA Letter to Industry on Chemical Hazards,” which stated that children aren’t likely to be at an “immediate health risk” from exposure to baby food containing heavy metals. (39)(40)

The brand hasn’t recalled any of its baby food products.

 

Were There Any Plum Organics Baby Food Recalls & Lawsuits?

Yes. Like the baby food companies above, Plum Organics was also sued at the California Superior Court over their alleged high heavy metal content. (41)

The brand’s case was also dismissed alongside the others. (37)(38)

The judge reportedly acknowledged that the affected parents have reason to be concerned or even alarmed by the potential presence of heavy metals in their baby’s food. However, the judge further explained that the plaintiffs weren’t able to prove a direct, concrete link between these products and the child’s autism or ADHD. (39)

Despite these lawsuits and the results of the Congressional Report, the affected Plum Organics products weren’t recalled. Instead, the brand’s products (Plum Organics Pouch Products and Plum Organics Rice Milk Snacks) were only recalled in 2013 and 2014.

 

Have There Been Any HappyBaby Organic Food Recalls & Lawsuits?

Nurture, the makers of HappyBaby and HappyTOT, was also among the baby food companies sued over 9-year-old Noah’s autism and ADHD. The brands won the case. (37)(38)

The brand was also included in the 2021 Nevada lawsuit against baby food manufacturers. (42)

There weren’t any HappyBaby Organic food products that were recalled in connection to these cases and the Congressional Report.

 

Were There Earth’s Best Organic Baby Food Lawsuits & Recalls?

Yes. Hain (the parent company of Earth’s Best Organic) was sued alongside the baby food companies above, and they won the case. (37)(38)

The brand was among the baby food companies in the 2021 Nevada lawsuit against baby food manufacturers. (42)

 

Were There Any Parent’s Choice Lawsuits?

In November 2022, PBM Nutritionals, a major manufacturer producing baby formulas for several brands (including Walmart’s Parent’s Choice and Target’s Up & Up brand) agreed to a $2 million class action settlement. (43)

Depending on whether you have purchase receipts and how many cans you’ve purchased for personal use from Jan. 1, 2017, to July 21, 2022, you might be eligible for reimbursement ($2 per can). (43)

The settlement limits reimbursements to:

• Without proof of purchase – Five containers per person or up to $10
• With receipts or proofs of purchase – 15 containers per person or up to $30

 

In April 2022, U.S. District Judge James Donato ruled in favor of plaintiff Shipra Kochar of Dublin, California, against Parent’s Choice (Walmart). (44)

In the lawsuit she filed in March 2021, Kochar alleged that she suffered “economic harm” because she paid a premium amount for Parent’s Choice baby foods that were advertised as “healthy and nutritious.” However, these products may have contained toxic heavy metals. (44)

The plaintiffs also claimed that Walmart “knowingly sold toxic baby food products” to their consumers for many years. (44)

Kochar sought: (44)

• Reimbursement of money she spent
• Injunction (authoritative warning or order) that will stop Walmart from marketing its baby food products as safe

 

Surprisingly, Kochar and her co-plaintiff claimed that they were still willing to buy Walmart-brand baby food (Parent’s Choice). However, they said they will no longer trust the brand’s “marketing representations.” (44)

 

Other Baby Food Lawsuit FAQs

How To Know If I’m Eligible For Baby Food Lawsuit Compensation?

If you bought something that’s within the scope or range of the class actions or settlements, you might be eligible for compensation, whether or not you have kept your receipt or another proof of purchase.

This also holds true if your baby has been diagnosed with injuries relating to toxic baby foods, such as neurological disorders.

 

How Much Should I Expect For The Baby Food Lawsuit Settlement?

This really depends on the settlement, and the amount can vary due to different reasons or factors. 

For example, the Parent’s Choice lawsuit compensation discussed above has set limits from $2 (per can) and up to $10 (without receipt) or up to $30 (with receipt).

 

Are The Baby Food Lawsuits A Mass Tort Or A Class Action Case?

Most baby food lawsuits are considered class action cases (the plaintiffs are part of a larger victim pool) rather than mass tort (personal injury cases or cases treated as individuals).

 

FDA Announces New Food Safety Unit

Update: February 2, 2023

 

The FDA plans to create a new food safety unit called the Human Foods Program that will focus on the importance of nutrition. The deputy commissioner for human foods is expected to have clear decision-making authority to ensure the US food supply’s safety. (11)

This new unit is also tasked to improve US nutrition in the wake of the possibly declining life expectancy due to chronic diseases linked with poor nutrition, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf explains. (11)

 

FDA Proposes Lead Limits In Baby Food

Update: January 26, 2023

 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) proposed the following lead level limits for baby food for children under two years old: (5)(6)

• Lower than 10 ppb (parts per billion) in yogurts, fruits, meat, custards and puddings, most vegetables, and mixed meals, including grain and meat-based mixtures
• Maximum of 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and root vegetables (i.e., sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots) because they grow underground and potentially absorb more lead from the soil than the other sources

 

The agency estimates that these can reduce young children’s dietary lead exposure by around 24-27%. (5)(6)

Baby food safety advocates like Consumer Reports and Healthy Babies Bright Futures acknowledge that this is important progress. (5)(6)

However, they want the limits to be lowered further, explaining that there isn’t a safe level for lead exposure, yet it can have a serious impact on children’s health, including: (5)(6)

• Neurological and developmental impairment
• Reduced IQ
• Behavior problems
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

 

They also point out that other heavy metals have been detected in baby food, including mercury and cadmium. Still, these aren’t addressed by the FDA’s new proposal. (5)(6)

 

Baby Food Recall Summary

Are There Baby Food Recalls In 2024?

Update: June 15, 2024

 

Yes. The following Once Upon a Farm was recalled in May 2024: 

• Once Upon a Farm Organic Plant-Rich Meal, Curried Carrots & Beans (details below)

 

Once Upon A Farm Recall (2024) 

 

• Date Recalled: May 17, 2024

• Company Name: Once Upon a Farm PBC

• Reasons For Recall: Potential contamination with bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes) (104)

• Affected Products: Once Upon a Farm Organic Plant-Rich Meal (flavor: Curried Carrots & Beans) (95 units; with “Best When Used By Date” 4/17/2025 and UPC 81000351838)

• Return or Refund Processing: Not indicated

 

According to Once Upon a Farm and the FDA notice, the affected products are distributed frozen. They’re not ready to eat and must be cooked. While an official press release wasn’t issued for this recall, you can return the recalled pouches to Once Upon a Farm or the store where you bought them from. (104)

These products were distributed at the following locations: (104)

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas

 

Are There Baby Food Recalls in 2023?

Update: November 15, 2023

Yes. WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches were recalled in October 2023 (see below). Although this brand is not specifically a baby food, these food pouches may be fed to babies and young children. 

 

Update: February 17, 2024

This recall has been expanded to include the following products, also manufactured by the same company: (102)

• Schnucks Apple Sauce With Cinnamon
• Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce

 

Wanabana Fruit Puree Recall

 

• Date Recalled: October 29, 2023

• Company Name: WanaBana USA

• Reasons For Recall: Elevated lead levels in several products tested, with four cases of children showing potential acute lead toxicity (elevated blood levels of lead in their blood) (35)

• Affected Products: WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches

• Return or Refund Processing: [email protected]

 

Over 1.7 million units of these fruit purees (flavor: apple cinnamon), sold in 3-pack pouches of 2.5 oz each, are affected by this recall. (35)

Here’s a list of the affected batch numbers and their respective number of recalled units:

 

Schnucks Applesauce With Cinnamon

 

• Date Recalled: November 9, 2023

• Company Name: Schnucks

• Reasons For Recall: The products are manufactured by the same company that makes the recalled WanaBana apple sauce products; they were also found to have elevated lead levels (102)

• Affected Products: Schnucks Cinnamon Applesauce Pouch (12 pk and 4 pk) and Schnucks Applesauce Pouch Variety

• Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or via phone numbers 314-994-4400 and 1-800-264-4400

 

Affected UPC codes: (102)

• Schnucks Cinnamon Applesauce Pouch (12 pk) – UPC: 4131801152 
• Schnucks Cinnamon Applesauce Pouch (4 pk) – UPC: 4131801155 
• Schnucks Applesauce Pouch Variety (20 pk) – UPC: 4131801157 

 

Affected Schnucks apple sauce lots: (102)

• 05023:19
• 09023:22
• 09023:24

 

Weis Cinnamon Applesauce

 

• Date Recalled: November 9, 2023

• Company Name: Weis

• Reasons For Recall: The products are also manufactured by the same company that makes the affected WanaBana apple sauce products; they were also found to have high lead levels (102)

• Affected Products: Weis Cinnamon Applesauce (90g)

• Return or Refund Processing: [email protected]

 

Affected UPC code for these products: (102)

• Weis Quality Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (20 pk) – UPC: 041497216123 

 

Affected Weis Cinnamon Applesauce lot: (102)

• 05023:28

 

Was There A Baby Food Recall In 2021?

Yes. Three baby food brands recalled their products in 2021: 

• Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal
• Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal 
• Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box

 

Learn more about these recalls below.

 

Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal

• Date Recalled: October 08, 2021

• Reasons For Recall: The products tested above government standards for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic during routine testing (12)

• Company: Maple Island Inc.

• Return or Refund Processing: Call 1-800-369-1022 or email at [email protected]

 

Affected products are 8-oz. packages of Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal (UPC number 00681131082907) from these lots: (12)

• Lot 21083 with a best-if-used-by date of June 24, 2022
• Lot 21084 with a best-if-used-by date of June 25, 2022
• Lot 21242 with a best-if-used-by date of November 30, 2022

 

No illnesses have been reported in this recall and no other Parent’s Choice products have been affected. (12)

 

Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal 

• Date Recalled: June 8, 2021

• Company Name: Beech-Nut

• Reasons For Recall: High arsenic levels

• Affected Products: UPC Code# 52200034705; Product codes 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX; Expiration date 01 MAY 2022 (13)

• Return or Refund Processing: www.beechnut.com/ricecereal or 1-866-272-9417

 

Statement from Jason Jacobs, Beech-Nut’s vice president for food safety and quality: (14)

 

“The safety of infants and children is Beech-Nut’s top priority. We are issuing this voluntary recall because we learned through routine sampling by the State of Alaska that a limited quantity of Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal products had levels of naturally-occurring inorganic arsenic above the FDA guidance level, even though the rice flour used to produce these products tested below the FDA guidance level for inorganic arsenic.”

 

Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box

• Date Recalled: May 20, 2021
• Company Name: Primary Colors Design Corp.
• Reasons For Recall: Undeclared egg content (allergen)
• Affected Products: UPC 84512050159; lot 091820; expiration date 09/18/2021 (15)
• Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or 419-903-0403

 

Baby Food Recall 2020

Lidl Lupilu Pouches (UK)

• Date Recalled: February 12, 2020

• Company Name: Lidl

• Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of mold (16)

• Return or Refund Processing: Return to store for a refund

 

Affected Products (all batches/lots of these Lupilu pouches): 

• Apples & Strawberries, Stage 1
• Bananas & Apples, Stage 1
• Banana & Peaches, Stage 1
• Apples, Carrots, & Parsnips, Stage 1
• Butternut Squash, Apples, Carrots & Prunes, Stage 1
• Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Apples & Blueberries, Stage 1
• Organic Apple, Stage 1
• Banana Yoghurt with Oats & Rice, Stage 2
• Banana, Blueberries, & Rice, Stage 2
• Mango Yoghurt with Oats & Rice, Stage 2

 

Cow & Gate Baby Food Jars (UK)

• Date Recalled: January 25, 2020

• Company Name: Cow & Gate; Tesco

• Reasons For Recall: Possible tampering of these products in Tesco stores in the UK (United Kingdom). (17)

• Return or Refund Processing: Tesco Customer Services (0800-917-6897) or Cow & Gate (0800-977-8880).

 

Affected Products (all batches/lots of Cow & Gate 7+ months variants in 200g jars):

• Butternut Squash Chicken & Pasta 
• Courgette & Hake Rice
• Creamy Cauliflower Cheese
• Garden Pea & Turkey
• Potato Spinach & Beef
• Potato & Turkey Roast
• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Succulent Pork Casserole
• Tasty Cottage Pie
• Tomato & Courgette Pasta
• Yummy Harvest Chicken
• Apple Crumble
• Banana Crumble
• Peach Apple & Kiwi
• Rice Pudding

 

Baby Food Recall 2019

Herbal Tea for Infants by Mountain Mel’s

• Date Recalled: August 29, 2019

• Company Name: Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC

• Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination with Salmonella (bacteria that causes fever, diarrhea, and muscle cramps). (18)

• Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or  503-564-9135.

 

Affected Products (all stamped with “best before date: 7/2021”): 

• The Milk Lady’s Tea; UPC 7-99632-05658-4 with LOT# ML6271950
• Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea; UPC 7-99632-05656-0 with LOT# PB781950
• Diges-Teas Herbal Tea; UPC 7-99632-05665-2 with LOT# DT7619100

 

Heinz Turkey Stew 8+ Baby Food (Canada)

• Date Recalled: August 16, 2019

• Company Name: Kraft Heinz Canada

• Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of insects

• Affected Products: UPC 0-572200-6; product code 2021JN04 (19)

• Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or 1-866-572-3809

 

Cow & Gate Cheesy Broccoli Bake, Stage 3 (UK)

• Date Recalled: May 13, 2019

• Company Name: Cow & Gate 

• Reasons For Recall: May contain small pieces of blue rubber (20)

• Affected Products: Batch code 28122020, best before date: 28 December 2020

• Return or Refund Processing: live chat at www.cgbabyclub.co.uk/contact-us or call 0800-977-4000 

 

Baby Food Recall 2018

Love Child Organics (Canada)

• Date Recalled: May 26, 2018

• Company Name: CGL FDS, Greenspace Brands Inc.

• Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects may allow entry of spoilage microorganisms (21)

• Return or Refund Processing: Return to the store where you got them.

 

Affected Products (all with best before date code: 2019MA25):

• Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potato + Kale; UPC 85886000170
• Veggie Casserole with Lentils + Quinoa; UPC 85886000171
• Ratatouille with Lentils + White Beans; UPC 85886000172
• Pumpkin Risotto with Spinach + Chickpeas; UPC 85886000173
• Mango Chicken Stew with Spinach + Quinoa; UPC 85886000174
• Thanksgiving Dinner with Veggies + Turkey; UPC 85886000175
• Hearty Bolognese with Beef + Quinoa; UPC 85886000176

 

PC Organics Baby Food Recall (Canada)

• Date Recalled: May 26, 2018

• Company Name: CGL FDS, Greenspace Brands Inc.

• Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects may cause spoilage (21)

• Return or Refund Processing: Return to the store where you purchased them.

 

Affected Products (all strained baby foods with best before date code: 2019MA25):

• Carrots; UPC 060383172800
• Parsnip; UPC 060383172817
• Peas; UPC 060383172824
• Sweet Potatoes; UPC 060383172831
• Vegetables & Turkey; UPC 060383174408
• Fruity Chicken; UPC 060383174415
• Spaghetti Bolognese; UPC 060383193201
• Vegetable & Lentil; UPC 060383193218
• Chicken Casserole; UPC 060383193225

 

Baby Food Recall 2017

Yummy Spoonfuls Chicken and Vegetable Products

• Date Recalled: June 24, 2017

• Company Name: Overhill Farms, Inc.

• Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of crushed chicken bones (22)

• Return or Refund Processing: (844)-986-6948

 

Affected Products:

• Chicken & Carrot Bites; with best before dates 02/01/18, 02/09/18, & 4/26/2018.
• Chicken & Sweet Potato Bites; with best before dates 02/01/18 & 02/09/18.
• Chicken & Broccoli Bites; with best before dates 08/30/17, 02/20/18, & 4/10/18.

 

Fully Cooked Organic Chicken and Vegetable Products

• Date Recalled: June 24, 2017

• Company Name: Overhill Farms, Inc.

• Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of crushed chicken bones (22)

• Return or Refund Processing: (844)-986-6948

 

Affected Products:

• Chicken & Vegetable Patty; case code 320422 with packaging date 08/30/16.
• Chicken Patties with Carrots and Cauliflower; case code 320460 with packaging date 02/09/17.
• Chicken Patties with Sweet Potatoes, Quinoa, and Peas; case code 320430 with packaging dates 02/09/17 and 04/25/17.

 

Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups

• Date Recalled: March 08, 2017

• Company Name: Gerber Products Company

• Reasons For Recall: Undeclared egg allergen components on the product label. (23)

• Affected Products: UPC code 159070

• Return or Refund Processing: 1-800-510-7494

 

PC Organics Baby Food Recall (Canada & US)

• Date Recalled: February 07, 2017

• Company Name: Loblaw Companies Limited

• Reasons For Recall: Manufacturing error may cause the growth of Clostridium botulinum (bacteria that causes food poisoning). (24)

• Return or Refund Processing: Return to the store

 

Affected Products (all are strained baby foods or puree snacks)

• Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea; UPC 060383062927
• Apple Crisp Muffin flavor; UPC 060383137304
• Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet; UPC 06038306996
• Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry; UPC 06038305362
• Apple; UPC 060383028404
• Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt; UPC 06038304491
• Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt; UPC 06038304488
• Apple Cherry; UPC 06038302843
• Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango; UPC 06038306294
• Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour; UPC 060383137328
• Banana Apple & Carrot; UPC 06038305363
• Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat; 06038306995
• Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa; UPC 06038306994
• Pear; UPC 06038302842
• Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach; UPC 06038305369
• Blackberry Cobbler Flavour; UPC 060383137311
• Banana & Kiwi; UPC 060383028466
• Mango; UPC 060383028411
• Banana & Raspberry; UPC 060383054809
• Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice; UPC 06038305368
• Banana Bread Flavour; UPC 060383135898
• Pear, Apple and Broccoli; UPC 06038306291
• Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot; UPC 06038305366
• Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt; UPC 060383154301
• Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt; UPC 06038304489
• Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt; UPC 060383154318
• Prunes; UPC 060383169633
• Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt; UPC 060383184278
• Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango; UPC 060383184292
• Banana Apple & Carrot; UPC 060383184285
• Mango; UPC 060383184308
• Pear, Apple, and Broccoli; UPC 060383184261

 

Baby Food Recall 2016

H-E-B Baby Food Recall

• Date Recalled: November 18, 2016

• Company Name: H-E-B

• Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination with rubber (25)

• Return or Refund Processing: 1‑855‑432‑4438

 

Affected Products:

• Banana Passion Fruit; UPC 4122081488
• Banana Pineapple Mango; UPC 4122084761
• Green Beans; UPC 4122005670
• Banana Apple; UPC 4122000208
• Green Beans Corn; UPC 4122005671
• Banana; UPC 4122083207
• Squash, Sweet Corn, & Tomato; UPC 4122066357
• Pear, Carrot, & Blueberry; UPC 4122005673
• Peas & Carrots; UPC 4122005685
• Vegetable Chickpea Mix; UPC 4122005668
• Banana, Carrot, & Mango; UPC 4122025540
• Apple, Carrot, Pumpkin, & Zucchini; UPC 4122054253
• Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, & Zucchini; UPC 4122066026
• Peas; UPC4122005684
• Apple; UPC 4122081487
• Pear Pineapple, & Zucchini; UPC 4122018455
• Pear, Peas, & Zucchini; UPC 4122079172
• Sweet Potato; UPC 412200568

 

Gerber Organic 2ND FOODS Pouches

• Date Recalled: March 24, 2016

• Company Name: 

• Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects may result in product spoilage during transport and handling. (26)

• Return or Refund Processing: 1-800-706-0556

 

Affected Products:

• Pears, Carrots & Peas; best before dates July 12, 2016 (batch code 51945335XX), and July 13, 2016 (batch code 51955335XX)
• Carrots, Apples & Mangoes; best before dates July 13, 2016 (batch code 51955335XX), and July 14, 2016 (batch code 51965335XX)

 

GoGo Squeez Applesauce Pouches

• Date Recalled: March 2016

• Company Name: Materne North America Corp.

• Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination from food product residues (27)

• Affected Products: Pouches with best before dates 12/4/15 to 3/4/17 and codes US01XXXX to US08XXXX.

• Return or Refund Processing: 1-844-275-5841 or visit voucher.gogosqueez.com

 

Baby Food Recall 2015

GoGo Squeez Applesauce Pouches

• Date Recalled: October 2015

• Company Name: Materne North America Corp.

• Reasons For Recall: Possible mold in the baby food products

• Affected Products: Pouches with best before dates 6/30/2016 and 7/26/2016 (36)

• Return or Refund Processing: 1-844-275-5841 or visit voucher.gogosqueez.com

 

Beech-Nut CLASSICS Sweet Potato & Chicken

• Date Recalled: April 14, 2015 

• Company Name: Beech-Nut Nutrition, Amsterdam, New York

• Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination with glass (28)

• Affected Products: Product numbers 12395750815 through 12395750821; product expiry date DEC 2016 

• Return or Refund Processing: Return to store or call (518) 839-0300

 

Baby Food Recall 2014

Plum Organics World Baby Food Pouches

• Date Recalled: March 5, 2014

• Company Name: Plum Organics

• Reasons For Recall: Choking and injury risks because the plastic pouch’s spouts may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing small pieces to loosen or come off (45)

• Affected Products: About 12,000 units of World Baby Italy (flavor: Zucchini & Spinach with Pasta Marinara; with “Best By” of Sept 9, 2014) and World Baby Thailand (flavor: Roasted Pumpkin & Coconut Rice; with “Best By” of Sept 10, 2014)

• Return or Refund Processing: Plum Organics’ consumer hotline at phone number 866-535-3774 or email at [email protected] to request reimbursement

 

Baby Food Recall 2013

Plum Organics Baby Food Pouch Recall

• Date Recalled: November 8, 2013

• Company Name: Plum Organics

• Reasons For Recall: A manufacturing defect may cause spoilage in some of the pouches, leading to potential bacterial infection (46)

• Affected Products: Tots Mish Mash, Baby Stage 2, and Kids pouch products with “BEST BY” date range listed as AUGUST 5th 2014 to DECEMBER 8TH 2014

• Return or Refund Processing: Plum Organics Consumer Hotline at 866-535-3774 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or [email protected]

 

Ill Effects Of Toxic Heavy Metals From Tainted Food, Formula, Or The Environment

Can My Baby Develop Autism From Heavy Metal Exposure?

Some of the judges in the lawsuits against baby food manufacturers dismissed the alleged links between heavy metal exposure from these products and the autism diagnosis in the plaintiff’s children (as mentioned above). However, studies have shown that these toxic metals can be associated with this condition.

For example, a July 2023 Frontiers in Pediatrics study showed that the group of children with autistic disorder had a higher concentration of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury) than the control (healthy) group. (47)

A January 2022 Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior study also had similar results in a review of several studies involving these toxic heavy metals and children with autism. (48)

The researchers found higher levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, aluminum, tin, tungsten, and other heavy metals in the hair samples of children diagnosed with autism than in the control groups. (48)

 

Can My Baby Develop ADHD From Heavy Metal Exposure?

Other studies have also found a link between heavy metal exposure and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). 

For example, a September 2020 Biological Trace Element Research study showed that the levels of lead, manganese, and zinc were higher in children with ADHD as well as autism spectrum disorder than in the control group. (49)

A December 2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety study showed that mixed metal exposure, particularly with chromium and lead, can increase the risks of ADHD. The study also found that lead, even at low levels, can still increase ADHD risks. (50)

 

Advice To Parents & Caregivers: What To Do With Recalled Baby Food

Regularly check Motherhood Community and government sites (e.g., FDA and CPSC) for recalls and other safety notices.

If your baby’s food (or other products) are recalled, immediately take them away from your child and stop using them. Double-check the recall details to see if the recalled product’s lot number, model number, SKU (stock keeping unit) code, or other information matches the items you have at home.

Follow the recall notice’s instructions on how to discard or return the affected products so you can get a replacement or refund.

Never let your child use any recalled product even if these items look alright. Bacteria, heavy metals, choking hazards, or other contaminants can be difficult to see but might be present in the recalled products you have at home.

 

US Baby Food Safety Standards

The FDA strictly monitors baby food products and formulas in the US to ensure that they are safe for consumption, free from contaminants, and follow the regulations on proper labeling, safety warnings, preparation instructions, or other important guidelines. (51)

 

Safety Tips For Handling Baby Food & Formula

Here are some safety tips from the FDA on how to properly handle baby food and formula to reduce the risks of contamination and infection: (52)

• Cronobacter is actually a common bacteria found in the environment and might be present even in your home. Avoid cross-contamination by always washing your hands before handling any baby food, formula, or utensils that can come in contact with the products you have at home or your baby.
• Always wash and sanitize your baby’s bottles and feeding utensils before first use and in between uses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how you can sanitize these feeding essentials because some can’t be placed in a steam sterilizer, dishwasher, or other sanitizing equipment.
• If the baby formula scoop falls on the floor or another surface, or even soiled in some other way, clean and ensure it’s dry before returning it to the container.
• If possible, use boiled water cooled to 158°F (70°C) when preparing your baby’s formula. This might be a safer option because recent studies showed that automatic formula machines might not get hot enough, posing increased risks of GI (gastrointestinal) infections.
• Always use prepared formula or baby food within two hours (at room temperature) or 24 hours (in the fridge). However, leftovers must be discarded.
• The FDA doesn’t recommend freezing baby formula.
• The FDA also warns against making and feeding your baby with homemade formula, which might lack the nutrients that babies need for growth and can also be more prone to contamination or other safety issues.
• Always check the product containers or boxes for the “best before” dates, preparation instructions, and other important information you can use as a guide in feeding your little one.
• Always check for changes in smell, color, or taste in your baby’s food and formula. Discard immediately if you think these might be spoiled or contaminated. You can also contact the manufacturer for possible replacement.

 

Baby Formula Recall & Shortage 2022

Update: May 11, 2022

Aside from monitoring baby food recalls, it’s good to also stay updated with recent infant formula recalls and the on-going baby formula shortage.

 

Baby Formula Shortage 2022

Although prepared in liquid form, infant formula is also baby food. 

 

Increased Out-Of-Stock Rates

That’s why the baby formula shortage of 2022 makes parents worried, especially after recent reports from research firm Datasembly showed that the nationwide out-of-stock rate has reached 43%. (29)

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), as many as 75% of babies in the US are likely given formula products by six months of age. (30)

 

Limited Supplies

Worried parents and caregivers are having a difficult time finding stocks, especially because formula retailers are also rationing available supplies.

Many areas, such as Texas and West Virginia, temporarily expanded the WIC program (Women, Infants and Children) to include other formula brands. (31)(32)

The baby formula shortage began during the pandemic and was first attributed to supply chain issues. However, the massive recall of Similac products worsened the shortage.  

 

Similac, Elecare, & Alimentum Infant Formula Recall 2022 

Are All Similac Products Included In This Recall?

No. Not all Similac formula products were affected by the 2022 recall. 

 

Recalled Similac Products

In February 2022, Abbott Nutrition issued two recall announcements after their products were linked to Cronobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella infection, which led to several hospitalizations and two infant deaths. (33)

The company also received multiple consumer complaints of infants getting sick after taking the formulas.

Infant formula products that are part of the recall: (34)

• First recall: Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas
• Second recall: One lot of Similac PM 60/40, with lot number 27032K80 (can) or 27032K800 (case)

 

Liquid formulas aren’t included in the recalled products.

 

Report On The Babies Affected By The Tainted Formulas

Four infants from three different states (MN – 1, OH – 2, and TX – 1) fell ill and were hospitalized after reportedly consuming Similac powdered infant formula. These products were traced back to Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, Michigan. (33)(34)

These babies were hospitalized, and one died. Based on the FDA’s investigation, the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii caused these babies’ illnesses and the fatality. However, retained samples of the recalled products used in these babies’ childhood tested negative for these deadly pathogens. (33)

Still, these incidents led to the massive recall of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare products. (34)

A second recall was issued after another child died after consuming Similac PM 60/40. While these products also tested negative for the bacteria, the child died from Cronobacter sakazakii infection, leading to the addition of Similac PM 60/40 to the main Similac recall. (34)

 

How To Check If My Baby’s Formula Is Included In This Recall?

Here are the codes to check on the packaging of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare infant formula products (powdered form only): (34)

• The code must have K8, SH, or Z2
• The code’s first two digits are numbers from 22 to 37
• The expiration date code starts from 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later

 

The affected Similac PM 60/40 infant formula products had the following lot numbers:

• Lot # 27032K80 (can)
• Lot # 27032K800 (case)

 

What Is Cronobacter & How Does It Spread?

Cronobacter is a type of bacteria that lives naturally in the environment. It prefers very dry places and can be found in herbal teas, starches, and even in powdered milk or infant formula. (34)

This bacteria can spread if formula scoops, lids, or containers come in contact with contaminated surfaces, causing the pathogens to mix in with the formula. Contamination can also happen when baby bottles, nipples, or other feeding equipment come into contact with the bacteria. (34)

Because the bacteria can spread from one surface to another, contamination can also happen when handling baby food or formula with unwashed hands or using cold, unsterilized water. (34)

 

Advice To Parents & Caregivers: What To Do If You Recently Fed Your Child These Recalled Similac Products?

The 2022 Similac recall is no longer in effect. However, in case another recall happens, here are things you must do if you feed your baby potentially contaminated formula:

• Monitor their condition and check for symptoms of infection (see next section).
• If your baby shows any symptoms of infection, take them to your healthcare provider.
• Be sure to rush your baby to the nearest ER if they experience serious symptoms, including breathing difficulties and seizures.
• Keep the formula or baby food container in case they’re required for possible investigation if your baby gets sick.

 

Symptoms To Monitor

Ingestion of infant formula contaminated with Cronobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella can lead to meningitis and sepsis. Symptoms can include the following: (33)

• Temperature changes
• Grunting breaths
• Unusual movements
• Irritability
• Poor feeding or no appetite
• Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes)

 

Newborns and young babies are more prone to experiencing serious symptoms. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms.

Although the infant deaths were determined to be due to Cronobacter Sakazakii infection, Abbott Nutrition maintains that the strains found in the investigation of the bacterial infections don’t match those in their facility in Sturgis, Michigan, and the recalled products. (34)

 

How Long Must I Monitor If My Child Was Exposed To The Recalled Formula?

Bacterial infections, even with recalled formulas, can be rare. The symptoms and severity can vary, and may appear within two days to two weeks of exposure or ingestion. (53)

It’s unlikely for the symptoms to appear after two weeks of taking these recalled formulas. (53)

 

Do I Get A Refund On These Recalled Similac Products?

Yes. Abbott Laboratories, the maker of these recalled Similac and related infant formula products, offered a full refund to affected consumers. (34)

You can contact Abbott via 1-800-986-8540 for refund processing or if you have further questions.

 

Should I Discard My Child’s Similac Formulas?

If your child fell ill after taking the recalled formula, keep the product because it might be needed for an investigation. However, stop using this formula to feed your child.

If your child didn’t get sick or show symptoms of bacterial infection, Abbott recommends discarding the items even if the products look fine.

 

What To Do If My Child Requires A Medically Necessary Formula?

The FDA allowed Abbott to release medically necessary formula products on a case-to-case basis. (54)

The federal agency acknowledges that without access to these special formulas, some infants’ lives might be at a higher risk of worsening medical conditions. It might even pose life-threatening risks. (54)

Due to the recall of Similac PM 60/40 (a specialized infant formula product for babies with impaired renal or kidney function), the FDA allowed its release depending on the affected children’s needs. Priority may be given to more severe cases. (54)

 

What Are My Options If My Child’s Specific Formula Isn’t Available?

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before switching to another formula, especially if your baby has special nutritional needs or a medical condition.

Your baby might be switched to a different formula with supplementation, if necessary.

If your child needs a product that wasn’t recalled but is unavailable at your favorite shop due to the infant formula shortage, here are other options to try:

 

Consider Smaller Stores & Shops Or Online Retailers

Stocks might still be low in big stores because more people buy from them or they might impose limits on how many each customer can buy. You try finding your baby’s formula at smaller shops or stores, such as a local grocery store.

Another option is to shop online.

However, beware of scammers and people who take advantage of the formula recall by inflating the product prices when buying from online marketplaces.

 

Consider Posting On Social Media

Some moms found formula after getting advice from other parents on social media about where they can find the products sold at reasonable rates.

 

Consider Switching To Another Brand Or Formula Product

Another option is to switch to a brand that isn’t included in the recall. However, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before switching formula brands or products.

Some US brands to try with your doctor’s approval:

• Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
• ByHeart Baby Formula
• Serenity Kids A2 Toddler Formula (only for toddlers, not babies)

 

Organic European formulas to consider, also with your doctor’s go-signal:

• Hipp Dutch Combiotic Formula
• Holle Organic (Bio)

 

IMPORTANT: Many European formulas aren’t FDA-approved for distribution in the US, and might have reduced nutritional content (e.g., lower iron content than US brands) but many parents prefer them over US brands. It’s important to consult your doctor so they can prescribe a supplement to compensate for the nutritional differences.

 

Were These Formula Products Sold Internationally?

Yes. These recalled formulas were sold in these countries or locations: (54)

• Australia
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Guam
• Guatemala
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Oman
• Peru
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Sudan
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Vietnam ANI South

 

What’s The US Government & The FDA Doing About This Recall?

Here are some updates on what the FDA and the US government have done or are still doing to reduce the chances of another massive recall and shortage from happening again:

• Lawmakers pushed for mandatory and quick reporting (within 24 hours) of any form of formula contamination or safety issues along the production line; the FDA is required to respond within 72 hours and issue a recall, if necessary. (55)
• The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists will make Cronobacter sakazakii infections reportable; this means that health departments and doctors must report any suspected case to the CDC. (56)
• According to the FDA, the NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine) will conduct a comprehensive study on infant formulas (including the current manufacturing practices and potential supply challenges) to help understand, solve, and prevent another formula crisis. (57)
• The FDA has also tapped a tracking tool initially built for monitoring supply chain shortages during the pandemic to prevent future formula shortages from happening, especially after a recall. (58)
• The FDA also released improved safety measures on powdered infant formula manufacturing, including evaluating and improving production and in-process controls, full compliance with all relevant rules and regulations on infant formula and human food production, and notifying the FDA of any adulterated, contaminated, or misbranded baby product (59)

 

Surveillance of Cronobacter Infection Cases

Unlike Salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli) cases and outbreaks, Cronobacter isn’t currently reportable. This means that even if doctors or laboratories detect or diagnose a Cronobacter infection, they can choose to keep this information to themselves. (54)

Being unreportable means that many Cronobacter cases may have been kept a secret, so the actual numbers might not be accurate. (54)

Also, whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the pathogens isn’t done on a routine basis. So, an outbreak hasn’t been detected with the WGS system, which could have prevented further cases. (54)

It’s only after cases are reported that the FDA can conduct a thorough review and investigation of each case. (54)

Thankfully, this will soon be changed because the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists agreed to make Cronobacter cases reportable. (56)

 

What Are The Responsibilities Of Laboratories & Healthcare Providers?

Here are guidelines from the CDC on how to handle possible Cronobacter exposure: (60)

• Even if your baby ingested contaminated formula, the CDC doesn’t recommend Cronobacter testing unless the child shows symptoms of sepsis (e.g., severe breathlessness, fast heartbeat, fast breathing, and cold, clammy skin) or meningitis (e.g., headache, fever, and stiff neck). (61)(62)
• The CDC recommends testing of blood or CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) for patients with sepsis or meningitis believed to have been caused by Cronobacter.
• The CDC recommends reporting positive Cronobacter cases to the local or state health department.
• The CDC doesn’t recommend stool testing because this bacteria doesn’t usually cause diarrhea in babies.
• The CDC doesn’t recommend testing the formula for Cronobacter unless your baby has been diagnosed with an infection.

 

Was There an Enfamil Recall in 2021?

No. There weren’t any Enfamil formula recalls in 2021. 

However, approximately 145,000 cans of Enfamil ProSobee were recalled in February 2023 over possible cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii. This recall only involved the following batches: (63)

• ZL2HZF
• ZL2HZZ

 

Baby Formula, Toddler Food, & Other Recalls Before 2020

Baby Formula & Other Product Recalls In 2019

Recall On Contigo Kids Cleanable Water Bottles

On August 27, 2019, about 5.7 million units of Contigo Kids Cleanable Water Bottles were recalled because the clear silicone spout can detach, posing choking risks to children. (64)

The recall was reannounced on February 19, 2020, and affected the replacement bottles provided to consumers affected by the 2019 recall. (65)

 

Recall On Calcilo Formula

In September 2019, Abbott Laboratories recalled one lot (#79696K80) of Calcilo XD powder cans (13.2 oz / 375 g) over inconsistencies in the products’ aroma or color. (66)

 

Recall On Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula

In June 2019, Perrigo Company plc (the makers of Parent’s Choice) recalled one batch (lot code C26EVFV) of this formula (35 oz) over possible contamination with a metal foreign matter. The affected products have a “use by” date of February 26, 2021. (67)

 

Toddler Food, Baby Formula, & Other Product Recalls In 2018

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Flavor Blasted Xtreme Cheddar Crackers

On July 23, 2018, Pepperidge Farm recalled these crackers over possible Salmonella contamination. (68)

 

These were the affected products: (68)

• Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar
• FlavorBlasted Sour Cream & Onion
• Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar
• Goldfish Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel

 

Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal

On June 14, 2018, the Kellogg Company recalled Honey Smacks cereal products due to possible Salmonella contamination. The affected products had a “BEST If Used By Date” from JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019. (69)

The following product UPCs (universal product codes) were affected: (69)

• 3800039103 (15.3 oz)
• 3800014810 (23 oz)

 

Hood’s Almond Milk

On August 02, 2018, HP Hood LLC recalled a limited number of refrigerated Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk (in half-gallon or 1.89 L cartons) because these products can contain milk, an allergen that wasn’t declared on the label. (70)

The affected products had a UPC of 41570 05621 and the following stamped information on the container: (70)

• USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H5 L1 51-4109
• USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H5 L2 51-4109
• USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H6 L1 51-4109
• USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H6 L2 51-4109

 

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts

On September 23, 2018, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation recalled several products due to possible contamination with Escherichia coli. (71)

The affected products were packaged in Keaau, Hawaii, and were only sold in retail stores in Hawaii. (71)

Products affected by this recall: (71)

 

Sugar Melon Candy

On October 10, 2018, SLR Food Distribution Inc. recalled Sugar Melon Candy or Wax Gourd products over undeclared sulfites, which are potential allergens that can pose serious or life-threatening risks to individuals with severe sensitivity to the chemical. (72)

The affected products are those with the following details: (72)

• Barcode: 6912567116718
• Production date: 2018.01.03 
• Expiration date: 2019.01.02

 

S&W White Beans

On October 15, 2018, Faribault Foods, Inc. recalled S&W White Beans (15 oz) over undeclared sulfites. (73)

The affected products have a can code and time stamp of “Best By AUG 23 2020 1310 F2 236 17 XXXX.&rdquo. (73)

 

Hy-Vee Meat and Potato Products

On October 18, 2018, Hy-Vee recalled various meat and potato products over possible contamination with bacteria Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. (74)

The following were the products included in this recall, and their corresponding UPCs: (74)

• Hy-Vee Bacon Wrapped Cowgirl Chicken Grillers (8 oz) – 023092600000
• Hy-Vee Fire Roasted Tomato, Spinach, Mozzarella Twice Baked Potato (5 oz) – 023755400000
• Hy-Vee Cowgirl Chicken Griller Patty (6 oz) – 023100200000
• Hy-Vee Gourmet Steakhouse Mushroom & Swiss Burger (6 oz) – 023168400000
• Hy-Vee Ground Beef Sliders Mushroom & Swiss (2 oz) – 023164300000
• Hy-Vee Ground Beef Sliders Mushroom & Swiss (12 count, 30 oz) – 023266600000

 

Feel Good Foods Vegetable Fried Rice Frozen Meal

On October 15, 2018, Feel Good Foods Inc. recalled six lots of “Vegetable Fried Rice” frozen meals with UPC 00899039002129 over undeclared egg content. This allergen can pose serious risks or life-threatening allergic reactions to people with severe egg allergies. (75)

The affected products come in 9-oz rectangular cardboard cartons and have the following “best-by dates” stamped on their sides: (75)

• 10/27/19
• 10/29/19
• 12/04/19
• 01/25/20
• 01/26/20
• 01/28/20

 

Margie Cheese

On September 28, 2018, Sprout Creek Farm Inc. recalled one batch of Margie Pasteurized Cow’s Milk Cheese because it failed to meet the standard (the temperature needs to be at least 150°F at the start and end of the pasteurization process). (76)

Only products with the following details are affected by this recall: (76)

• Made Date of 8/28/2018
• Best By date of 11/12/2018

 

Baby Formula Recalls & Baby Food Concerns In 2017

Environmental Defense Fund Report About Lead in Baby Food

Even back in 2017, advocacy groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund found that some baby foods can contain high amounts of lead. (77)

For example, the group’s analysis of 11 years’ worth of data from the FDA showed that as many as 20% of baby food products sampled can contain lead compared to only 14% of other food products. (77)

The highest amounts of lead were found in the following: (77)

• Fruit juices: 89% of grape juice, 67% of mixed fruit, 55% of apple, and 45% of pear samples
• Root vegetables: 86% of sweet potatoes and 43% of carrots 
• Cookies: 64% of arrowroot cookies and 47% of teething biscuits

 

Lactalis Formula Recall

In December 2017, French firm Lactalis recalled their formula after 26 babies got sick with possible Salmonella infection in France. (78)

About 7,700 tons were possibly affected by this recall. They were marketed under the following brand names: (78)

• Milumel
• Celia 
• Picot

 

Baby Formula & Other Product Recalls In 2016

CVS Homeopathic Products

On September 30, 2016, CVS Homeopathic teething tablets and gels due to reports of seizures and other reported serious side effects on infants and young children. (79)

These were also distributed by Hyland’s and possibly other retail stores or online shops. (79)

 

Sammy’s Milk Baby Formula

In October 2016, Sammy’s Milk Baby Formula products were recalled over possible inadequate iron levels and contamination with the Cronobacter bacteria. (80)

Although the product still meets the FDA’s minimum iron requirements, it didn’t have any warning on the label that babies might need supplementation if using this product. (80)

 

Baby Food Recalls In 2012

Gerber Baby Formula Recall

In March 2012, Gerber Products Company recalled Good Start Gentle Powdered Infant Formula products after receiving reports of foul odor from concerned consumers. (81)

This recall affected batch GXP1684, but only for this particular Gerber formula. (81)

 

Baby Food Recalls In 2011

Enfamil Baby Formula Recall From Walmart Shelves

On December 22, 2011, Walmart pulled out 12 oz ounce cans of Enfamil Premium Newborn formula, with lot number ZP1K7G, from its 3,000+ stores nationwide after learning that an infant died from a rare infection caused by Cronobacter sakazakii linked to the formula they ingested. (82)

 

Ice Cream Recalls

Ice Cream Recalls 2023

Wilcox Ice Cream Recalls

On November 18, 2023, Wilcox Ice Cream recalled multiple ice cream brands due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. (83)

The following are the affected ice cream products: (83)

 

For refund processing and other questions, you can contact the company through the following: (83)

• Phone number: 802-375-1133 (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST, Mondays through Fridays)
• Email: [email protected]

 

The company needs the following information to process your refund: (83)

• Your full name address and telephone number
• Photos of the product you bought
• Quantity
• Information on where you purchased the items

 

Yarnell’s Guilt Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Cream

On October 11, 2023, Yarnell Operations LLC announced the recall of Yarnell’s Guilt Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Cream due to undeclared egg content (an allergen). (84)

This recall only affects the product with UPC 0-70905-48521-9, and the following “best buy” dates and lot numbers (you can find this information at the bottom of the container): (84)

• Lot 3135 – Best by 11/15/2024
• Lot 3136 – Best by 11/16/2024
• Lot 3216 – Best by 02/04/2025 

 

Paradise Flavors Ice Cream Bars

On October 12, 2023, Paradise Flavors LLC recalled all their ice cream bar products due to undeclared allergens, which can include wheat, soy, milk, peanuts, various tree nuts (e.g., hazelnuts, pecans, chestnuts, cashews, pine nuts, etc.), and color additives. (85)

These are the affected products and the corresponding allergens they can contain: (85)

 

For refunds, you can contact the company through: (85)

• Phone number: 305-509-0112

 

Life Raft Treats Ice Cream Products

On September 06, 2023, Life Raft Treats first recalled the following ice cream products over possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes: (86)

• Life Is Peachy 6 count box ice cream
• Not Fried Chicken 64 oz bucket ice cream
• Not Fried Chicken 2.5 oz bar ice cream

 

The initial recall included all products with BEST BY DATES of up to AUG 8212024. (86)

This was later expanded on September 19, 2023 to include the BEST BY DATES of up to AUG 08282024. (87)

You can contact the company for refund processing and other inquiries through the following outlets: (86)(87)

• Phone number: (843) 695-9806 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, Mondays through Fridays
• Email: [email protected]

 

Weis Markets Brownie Moose Tracks Ice Cream

On August 31, 2023, Weis Markets Inc. recalled Weis Quality Brownie Moose Tracks Ice Cream over undeclared egg content (an allergen). (88)

The affected product has a UPC of 041497-01194. (88)

You can reach the company through the following Weis Customer Service channel for refund processing or further questions: (88)

• Phone number: 1-866-999-9347 from 8 AM to 5 PM EST, Mondays through Fridays

 

Ice Cream House Dairy & Non-Dairy Ice Cream (Parve), Sorbet, Cakes, & Novelty Items

On August 30, 2023, Ice Cream House recalled various ice cream, cakes, and other dessert products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. (89)

These are the affected products: (89)

 

Real Kosher Ice Cream Soft Serve Ice Cream Products & Sorbet Cups

On August 09, 2023, the Real Kosher Ice Cream company recalled all flavors of Soft Serve On The Go cups produced up to 8/4/23 due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. (90)

The following products are affected by this ice cream recall: (90)

 

You can reach the Soft Serve on the Go team via these channels: (90)

• Phone number: 845-668-4346 from 9 AM to 5 PM EST, Mondays thru Fridays
• Email: [email protected]

 

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. Outshine No Sugar Added Strawberry Fruit Bars

On July 17, 2023, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. recalled a limited number of Outshine No Sugar Added Strawberry Fruit Bars due to undeclared milk allergen. (91)

This recall only affects 6 Count packages of the ice cream product with a “Best By date” of September 30, 2024, UPC of 041548312606, and the following batch numbers: (91)

• LLA317822
• LLA317922

 

You can reach the company through Elizabell Marquez via: (91)

• Phone number: 800-392-4885
• Email: [email protected]

 

Gelato Boy Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

On June 14, 2023, Gelato Boy recalled 728 cases or 5,824 units of their Chocolate Chunk Gelato products over undeclared milk (an allergen). (92)

The product is labeled “CHOCOLATE CHUNK GELATO.” (92)

Affected products have the following information: (92)

• Lot Code: 4043T2
• “Best By” date: 04/25
• UPC: 853457008002

 

The following are the company’s contact information: (92)

• Phone number: 720-548-0416 from 8 AM to 4:30 PM MST, Mondays through Fridays
• Email: [email protected] 

 

Tillamook Waffle Cone Swirl Ice Cream

On May 31, 2023, the Tillamook County Creamery Association recalled around 1,440 cartons of Tillamook Waffle Cone Swirl Ice Cream products over undeclared wheat and soy content (potential allergens). (93)

This recall only affects products with the following information: (93)

• BB041324 or “best by date” of 04/13/2024 
• Lot code: TL-41-80

 

You can reach the company through: (93)

• Phone number: 855-562-3568
• Email: [email protected]

 

Van Leeuwen “Brown Sugar Chunk” Ice Cream

On May 23, 2023, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream LLC recalled 4,096 units of frozen French Ice Cream product “Brown Sugar Chunk” (14 oz pints) due to undeclared walnut content (an allergen). (94)

This recall affects lot number 23P102 with a “Best By Date” of April 12, 2025. (94)

Refund processing queries and other questions must be sent to JD Dillion via these channels: (94)

• Phone number: 215.824.6613 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST
• Email: [email protected]

 

Other Ice Cream Recalls From Previous Years

Weis Markets Premium Sea Salt & Caramel Ripple Ice Cream

On November 23, 2022, Weis Markets recalled Weis Quality Premium Sea Salt & Caramel Ripple Ice Cream due to undeclared soy and coconut content (potential allergens). (95)

Affected products can also have the following information: (95)

• “Weis Quality Caramel Caribou Ice Cream” on the lid
• UPC of 041497-01288
• “Sell by date” of 11/08/23 (located on the bottom of the container)
• Production date of 11/08/22

 

Sweet Me Creamery Brookie Dough Ice Cream

On October 09, 2018, Kemps recalled Sweet Me Creamery Brookie Dough ice cream due to undeclared peanut content (an allergen). (96)

The affected products have the following “best by dates” on the bottom of the pint containers: (96)

• 12/4/2019
• 12/5/2019
• 12/13/2019
• 2/15/2020
• 2/16/2020

 

Salt & Straw’s Chocolate Gooey Brownie Ice Cream Pints

On August 13, 2018, the Salt & Straw Ice Cream company recalled a limited number of Chocolate Gooey Brownie Ice Cream products over undeclared peanut content (an allergen). (97)

Check for the following affected lot codes if your product has a plant code of 41-404: (97)

• 18201
• 18203
• 18212
• 18213
• 18214
• 18219
• 18221
• 18223

 

These are the affected lot codes for the plant code 06-1626F: (97)

• 18217
• 18219
• 18221

 

Working Cow Homemade Ice Cream

On October 18, 2018, Working Cow Homemade, Inc. recalled all their ice cream products manufactured from August 29, 2017 to October 11, 2018, over to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. (98)

 

HEB EconoMax, Hill Country Fare, & Creamy Creations Ice Creams & Sherbets 

On May 29, 2018, HEB recalled EconoMax, Hill Country Fare, and Creamy Creations ice creams and sherbets due to possible contamination with broken metal shards from routine maintenance of the processing equipment. (99)

These are the affected products: (99)

 

Stewart’s Shops Pint Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

On April 09, 2018, Stewart’s Shops Corp recalled Stewart’s pint Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream over mislabeling with a “Chocolate” lid, with undeclared peanut content (an allergen). (100)

This recall only affects ice cream products with UPC 0 82086 44468 8 and a “Sell By” date code of 08/23/18. (100)

 

Izzy’s Maple Nut Ice Cream

On March 15, 2018, Izzy’s Ice Cream, LLC recalled limited numbers of their Maple Nut Ice Cream pints due to a supplier’s recall of their walnut ingredients, which might contain undeclared peanut residue. (101)

These are the affected lot codes: (101)

• 18012729
• 18020312
• 18024706
• 18028819
• 18025206
• 18020327
• 18028806

 

REFERENCES

(1) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf

(2) https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf

(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/

(5) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/health/fda-lead-baby-food.html

(6) https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/baby-food/fda-proposes-new-limits-for-lead-in-baby-foods-a2167994237/

(7) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements

(8) https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/05/01/parentplus-babyfoodmetal050121

(9) https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/09/beech-nut-baby-food-recall-2021-rice-cereal-arsenic/7621243002/

(10) https://fox17.com/news/spotlight-on-america/update-first-court-battle-over-toxic-metals-in-baby-food-set-for-trial-in-2023

(11) https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-31/after-baby-formula-scandal-fda-announces-new-unit-focused-on-food-safety

(12) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maple-island-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-three-lots-parents-choice-rice-baby-cereal

(13) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/beech-nut-nutrition-company-issues-voluntary-recall-one-lot-beech-nut-single-grain-rice-cereal-and

(14) https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/beech-nut-stop-selling-specific-baby-rice-cereal-78196121

(15) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primary-colors-design-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-peppa-pig-chocolate-chip-cookies

(16)  https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-08-2020

(17) https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-03-2020

(18) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mountain-mels-essential-goods-llc-recalls-milk-ladys-herbal-tea-blend-peaceful-baby-herbal-tea-blend

(19) https://inspection.canada.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2019-08-16/eng/1566012117302/1566012119453?print=1#r08

(20) https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-20-2019

(21) https://inspection.canada.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2018-05-26/eng/1527371146055/1527371148679

(22) https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/overhill-farms-inc.-recalls-chicken-products-due-possible-foreign-matter

(23) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-issues-allergy-alert-clarify-egg-labeling-cheese-ravioli-pasta-pick-upsr

(24) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fda-posting-canadian-food-inspection-agencys-recall-notice-alert-us-consumers-who-may-have-purchased

(25) https://www.heb.com/static-page/article-template/heb-baby-food-recall-nov-2016

(26) http://news.gerber.com/news/gerber-is-voluntarily-recalling-two-batches-of-gerberR-organic-2nd-foodsR-pouches

(27) https://www.gogosqueez.com/recall/

(28) https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/beech-nut-nutrition-recalls-baby-food-product-due-possible-foreign-matter

(29) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baby-formula-shortage-2022-states/

(30) https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2020-Breastfeeding-Report-Card-H.pdf

(31) https://texaswic.org/about-wic/special-wic-food-updates

(32) https://dhhr.wv.gov/News/2022/Pages/WIC-Introduces-Additional-Flexibilities-Amid-Powdered-Infant-Formula-Recall.aspx

(33) https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-not-use-certain-powdered-infant-formula-produced-abbott-nutritions-facility

(34) https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/home.html

(35) https://wanabana.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Press-release-Wanabana-Apple-Cinnamon-Fruit-Puree-Recall-Oct-29-2023.pdf

(36) https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/10/16/gogo-squeez-applesauce-pouches-recalled-over-mold

(37) https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/baby-food-makers-get-dismissal-in-heavy-metals-autism-suit

(38) https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/column-tainted-baby-food-claims-become-uphill-litigation-battle-2023-09-11/

(39) https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2022/10/31/Hundreds-of-lawsuits-were-filed-vs-baby-food-companies-last-year-over-heavy-metals-So-what-happened-next

(40) https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-letter-industry-chemical-hazards-including-toxic-elements-food-and-update-fda-efforts-increase

(41) https://fox17.com/news/spotlight-on-america/groundbreaking-legal-battle-toxic-metals-in-baby-food-can-cause-autism-infant-autistic-boy-girl-kid-kids-child-children-adhd-add-fda-cdc-investigation-gerber-beechnut-walmart-lead-mercury-arsenic-cadmium-congress-melissa-cantabrana-neurotoxic-heavy

(42) https://apnews.com/article/state-courts-las-vegas-mass-shooting-lawsuits-coronavirus-pandemic-hispanics-7dbdc23643d46b6d398a70ee908a0724

(43) https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/baby-formula-class-action-lawsuit-do-these-companies-owe-you-money/

(44) https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-greenlights-lawsuit-accusing-walmart-of-selling-baby-food-tainted-with-toxins/

(45) https://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/2014/03/plum_organics_recalls_pouch_ba.html

(46) https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/press-releases/plum-organics-voluntarily-recalls-a-range-of-pouch-products/

(47) https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1169733/full

(48) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305721002124

(49) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32347445/

(50) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323012186

(51) https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/food-safety-infants-toddlers

(52) https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/handling-infant-formula-safely-what-you-need-know

(53) https://www.chop.edu/pages/formula-recalls-frequently-asked-questions-regarding-recall-abbott-and-lyons-magnus-formulas

(54) https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigation-cronobacter-infections-powdered-infant-formula-february-2022#additional

(55) https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/baby-formula-makers-face-push-to-disclose-contamination-earlier/ar-AA1fVwm9

(56) https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/29/health/cronobacter-notifiable-diseases/index.html

(57) https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-national-academies-study-supply-market-competition-and-regulation-infant-formula-us

(58) https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/infant-formula-information-and-ongoing-fda-efforts-increase-supply

(59) https://www.fda.gov/media/166044/download

(60) https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/outbreaks/infant-formula.html

(61) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350508

(62) https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/blood-and-lymph/sepsis/

(63) https://www.enfamil.com/prosobee-recall-2023/

(64) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Contigo-Recalls-57-Million-Kids-Water-Bottles-Due-to-Choking-Hazard

(65) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Contigo-Reannounces-Recall-of-5-7-Million-Kids-Water-Bottles-Due-to-Choking-Hazard-Additional-Incidents-with-Replacement-Lids-Provided-in-Previous-Recall

(66) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/abbott-laboratories-recalls-calcilo-xdr-infant-formula

(67) https://investor.perrigo.com/2019-06-21-PERRIGO-ISSUES-VOLUNTARY-RECALL-FOR-PARENTS-CHOICE-ADVANTAGE-INFANT-FORMULA-MILK-BASED-POWDER-WITH-IRON

(68) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pepperidge-farmr-announces-voluntary-recall-four-varieties-goldfishr-crackers

(69) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kellogg-company-voluntarily-recalls-honey-smacks-cereal-due-possible-health-risk

(70) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hp-hood-llc-recalls-select-units-half-gallon-refrigerated-vanilla-almond-breeze-almond-milk-due

(71) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mauna-loa-macadamia-nut-corporation-voluntarily-recalls

(72) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/slr-food-distribution-inc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-sugar-melon-candy

(73) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/faribault-foods-inc-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-quantity-sw-brand-white-beans-due-presence

(74) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hy-vee-voluntarily-recalls-several-meat-and-potato-products

(75) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/feel-good-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-product-vegetable-fried-rice

(76) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/consumer-alert-sprout-creek-farm-margie-cheese-batch-recalled

(77) https://www.edf.org/health/lead-food-hidden-health-threat

(78) https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/11/news/baby-formula-recall-lactalis/index.html

(79) https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-against-use-homeopathic-teething-tablets-and-gels

(80) https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/01/health/sammys-milk-baby-food-recall/index.html

(81) https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gerber-recall_n_1341353

(82) https://abcnews.go.com/Health/walmart-pulls-baby-formula-linked-infants-death-bacterial/story?id=15213948

(83) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wilcox-ice-cream-recalls-multiple-ice-cream-products-because-possible-health-risk

(84) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/yarnell-operations-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-ice-cream

(85) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/paradise-flavors-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-tree-nuts-wheat-soy-milk-and-color

(86) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/life-raft-treats-recalls-ice-cream-products-not-fried-chicken-and-life-peachy-due-possible-listeria

(87) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/life-raft-treats-has-expanded-their-recalls-ice-cream-products-not-fried-chicken-and-life-peachy-due

(88) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/weis-markets-issues-allergy-alert-weis-quality-premium-brownie-moose-tracks-ice-cream-due-undeclared

(89) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ice-cream-house-voluntarily-recalling-all-dairy-ice-cream-products-and-non-dairy-parve-frozen

(90) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/real-kosher-ice-cream-recalls-soft-serve-go-cups-because-possible-health-risk

(91) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dreyers-grand-ice-cream-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-outshine-no-sugar-added-strawberry

(92) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gelato-boy-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-chocolate-chunk-gelato

(93) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tillamook-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-and-soy-tillamook-waffle-cone-swirl-ice-cream

(94) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/van-leeuwen-issues-voluntary-recall-undeclared-walnuts-its-brown-sugar-chunk-ice-cream-pints

(95) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/weis-markets-issues-allergy-alert-weis-quality-premium-sea-salt-and-caramel-ripple-ice-cream-due

(96) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall-issued-sweet-me-creamery-brookie-dough-ice-cream-may-contain-undeclared-peanut

(97) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/salt-straw-voluntarily-recalls-certain-lots-chocolate-gooey-brownie-ice-cream-pints-due-possible

(98) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/working-cow-homemade-inc-expands-recall-ice-cream-products-because-possible-health-risk

(99) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/h-e-b-voluntarily-issues-recall-specific-flavors-and-container-sizes-economax-and-hill-country-fare

(100) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stewarts-shops-issues-allergy-alert-pint-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-ice-cream

(101) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall-certain-lots-izzys-maple-nut-ice-cream-due-undeclared-peanuts

(102) https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023

(103) https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/applesauce-recall-state-ags-plead-fda-toxic-metal-testing-baby-food-industry

(104) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/?Event=94656

(105) https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lesser-evil-serenity-kids-cassava-puffs-high-lead-levels-a2654657249/

(106) https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/5/klobuchar-krishnamoorthi-duckworth-and-c-rdenas-introduce-legislation-to-raise-food-safety-and-enforcement-standards-for-commercial-baby-and-toddler-food