which gerber products are recalled?

Did you know that exposure to toxic heavy metals can significantly affect your baby’s brain development? It could lead to a decrease in IQ and possible antisocial behavior in young children. (1)(2)

What’s alarming is that as much as 95% of baby food products from some of the most popular brands in the U.S. contain significant levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. (3)

In tests commissioned by HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures), toxic heavy metals were found in 95% of the 168 commercial baby foods tested. Many were at dangerous levels, higher than the limits set by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). (3)

Last February 2021, the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the U.S. Congress released a detailed Congressional Report on toxic products prepared by seven popular baby food companies. (4)

What were the Subcommittee’s findings, and how did the companies respond? Which products contained high levels of toxic heavy metals?

Gerber Products Company was among the baby food manufacturers listed in the report. Over the years, Gerber had issued some baby food recalls (and also Gerber formula recalls). But did the new report lead to a recall of the affected Gerber baby foods?

In January 2023, in response to public clamor, the FDA announced that they’re proposing limits on lead in baby food. They’re also creating a new food safety unit.

Continue reading to learn more.

The Subcommittee asked the following baby food manufacturers to submit test results of the products that reportedly have high levels of toxic heavy metals: (4)

Of these seven companies, only Gerber, Nurture, Hain, and Beech-Nut submitted their test results and internal standards or testing policies to the Subcommittee. (4)

Walmart, Sprout, and Campbell refused to cooperate, according to the Congressional Report. (4)

However, despite complying with the request, the four companies alarmed the Subcommittee over test results that showed heavy metal levels were several times the FDA’s maximum allowable levels. (4)

FDA maximum limits in ppb or parts per billion for infant rice cereal: (5)

FDA maximum limits in ppb for bottled water:

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit in ppb for drinking water (also applies to food):

The Subcommittee was alarmed that the companies didn’t correct the heavy metal levels in their raw materials and finished products. Instead, these baby food companies created internal standards with increased limits. (4)

According to their new reports, these companies’ finished products passed because they have higher limits for their internal standards. Yet, the actual results are still several times higher than the FDA standards.

The state of Alaska independently tested Gerber baby food products and found dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic in their infant rice cereals.

The second Congressional report on baby food revealed that despite Alaska’s test results Gerber failed to notify the public and also failed to pull those products from the market.

As head of the congressional subcommittee, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi states:

The following are the affected baby food products, based on test results submitted by the companies or third-party organizations: (4)

The company declared to the Subcommittee that it doesn’t test the finished products for heavy metal content. Only the raw materials are tested. (4)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

Of all the baby food manufacturers in the Congressional Report, only Nurture regularly tests ingredients and finished products for heavy metals.

Despite the high levels of heavy metals in their finished products, Nurture admitted that the test results aren’t used as a basis for product release. (4)

In response to the investigation, the company wrote to Subcommittee Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi that heavy metal testing is only done for its internal monitoring program under the company policy. It sold all the tested items, whether they passed or failed. (4)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

According to the Congressional Report, Beech-Nut declared that all its raw materials passed internal standards. But the company had set very high internal maximum levels, so the ingredients actually failed government regulations. (4)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

According to the Subcommittee report, Hain admitted that it’s only using “theoretical calculations,” not actual test results. (4)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

According to the Subcommittee, the company provided them with a report declaring that each of the finished products “meets criteria.”

But the company reportedly refused to provide their actual test results or internal standards and criteria.

The following results are based on data from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, instead: (3)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

Walmart didn’t submit any test results to the Subcommittee. The following results are also from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, too: (3)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

According to the Congressional Report, the company never responded to the Subcommittee. The following results also come from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report: (3)

Mercury:

Inorganic Arsenic:

Lead:

Cadmium:

The following are some healthy alternatives to the unsafe products in the report:

Instead of worrying about food recalls, preparing fresh and organic baby foods at home might be a good idea.

You can buy a baby food maker set such as the Baby Brezza Small Baby Food Maker Set – Cooker and Blender in One or use the appliances you already have in your kitchen in preparing your baby’s food.

Note that rice and rice flour can have high levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic. It’s best to avoid preparing these foods for your baby.

Healthier alternatives include:

Sweet potatoes and carrots can also have high levels of lead and cadmium. But they are important sources of vitamin A and other nutrients.

You’ll still need to include these foods in your child’s diet, but make sure they aren’t taken in excess. (3)

There are so many possible contaminants and harmful ingredients in our food supply. Some of these are from pesticides.

Because heavy metals and other contaminants could greatly affect babies’ body and brain development, Consumer Reports and the US PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) call for the passing of the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021. (6)

If this passes into law, baby food manufacturers will be required to test and disclose their test results to regulators and parents.

The law will also direct the FDA to adopt and implement stricter limits for baby foods.

Consumer Reports and the AAP (American Academy for Pediatrics) call for further changes: (4)

Healthy Babies Bright Futures also calls for baby food companies to set a goal of zero inorganic arsenic and lead levels in all baby food products.

Despite being included in the Congressional Report, no Gerber baby food recall was issued afterward.

The rest of the baby food manufacturers mentioned in the report didn’t issue a recall as well.

To date, only the following Gerber products have been recalled:

Back in 2017, Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups were recalled, but not because of heavy metals.

Affected Products: (8)

Update: March 10, 2023

A lawsuit filed in Southern California against baby food companies alleges that these foods, tainted with heavy metals based on the Congressional report, can cause autism and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). (9)

Experts help the law team convince the judge by explaining how heavy metals interact with the brain. (9)

Update: February 2, 2023

The FDA proposes the creation of the Human Foods Program, a new food safety unit that will focus on the importance of nutrition. According to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, the new deputy commissioner for human foods will have clear decision-making authority, ensuring the US food supply’s safety. (10)

The new unit will also be tasked to improve US nutrition to address the declining life expectancy, possibly due to chronic diseases linked with poor nutrition. (10)

In response to public outcry, the FDA proposes new lead level limits for baby food, applicable for children under two years old: (11)(12)

Although the FDA estimates that these can reduce young children’s lead exposure by 24-27%, baby food safety advocates like Healthy Babies Bright Futures and Consumer Reports hoped for stricter measures. (11)(12)

They point out lead’s serious impact on children’s health, including reduced IQ, neurological and developmental impairment, behavior problems, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

They also want the FDA to address the other heavy metals detected in baby food, such as cadmium and mercury, which aren’t included in the agency’s new proposal. (11)(12)

References

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In March, Perrigo Co. issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of its Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powder Infant Formula “out of an abundance of caution” due to the possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, a germ that can cause serious or deadly infections in infants.

The recall impacted Gerber Good Start formula manufactured between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18 at Perrigo’s Eau Claire, Wisconsin, facility. The recalled formula was sold in three different sizes at retailers nationwide, according to a March 17 recall notice.

Cooperative food wholesaler Associated Wholesale Grocers, however, distributed the 12.4-ounce version of the recalled product to its Nashville Division retailers after Perrigo’s initial recall notice was published.

As a result, the recalled product was distributed to supermarkets across Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, Associated Wholesale Grocers said Saturday.

The wholesaler is urging consumers who purchased Gerber Good Start formula at impacted locations to check their products. The recalled formula sold beyond the start of the recall can be identified by its lot codes and “use by” dates — which range from July 4, 2024, to July 12, 2024.

“Any consumers who purchased product with matching codes should discontinue use and dispose of the product,” Associated Wholesale Grocers’ Saturday notice reads, adding that consumers can request a refund by contacting the Gerber Parent Resource Center on behalf of Perrigo.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Perrigo said that the company informed all customers at the time of the March recall. The Saturday notice from Associated Wholesale Grocers, which Perrigo identifies as a customer, is “not directly associated with Perrigo and has no impact on the company,” Perrigo said.

The company also maintained that the March recall was initiated “out of an abundance of caution” — adding that “no Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria has been found in any product distributed for sale and no adverse events have been reported.”

The AP also reached out to Associated Wholesale Grocers for further comment Tuesday morning.

Infections caused by Cronobacter sakazakii are rare, but they can be life-threatening for newborns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention writes. The bacteria can cause sepsis and meningitis, according to the CDC.

Cronobacter sakazakii was the same germ that sparked Abbott Nutrition’s recall following a nationwide shortage of powdered infant formula last year. According to the FDA and CDC, Cronobacter sakazakii is found naturally in the environment and is “particularly good” at surviving in dry foods like infant formula — which can get contaminated at home or in processing facilities.

Perrigo Co. issued a voluntary March recall of certain lots of its Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula “out of an abundance of caution” due to the possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, a germ that can cause serious or deadly infections in infants.

The recall includes Gerber Good Start formula manufactured between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18 at the Perrigo’s Eau Claire, Wisconsin, facility. The recalled formula was sold in three different sizes at retailers nationwide, according to a March 17 recall notice.

Cooperative food wholesaler Associated Wholesale Grocers, however, distributed the 12.4-ounce version of the recalled product to its Nashville Division retailers after Perrigo’s initial recall notice was published.

As a result, the recalled product was distributed to supermarkets across Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, according to Associated Wholesale Grocers.

The wholesaler is urging consumers who purchased Gerber Good Start formula at impacted locations to check their products. The recalled formula sold beyond the start of the recall can be identified by its lot codes and “use by” dates — which range from July 4, 2024 to July 12, 2024.

“Any consumers who purchased product with matching codes should discontinue use and dispose of the product,” Associated Wholesale Grocers’ Saturday notice reads, adding that consumers can request a refund by contacting the Gerber Parent Resource Center on behalf of Perrigo.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Perrigo said that the company informed all customers at the time of the March recall.

The company added that “no Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria has been found in any product distributed for sale and no adverse events have been reported.”

Associated Wholesale Grocers did not return calls for comment.

Infections caused by Cronobacter sakazakii are rare, but they can be life-threatening for newborns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention writes — noting that the bacteria can cause sepsis and meningitis.

Cronobacter sakazakii was same germ that sparked Abbott Nutrition’s recall and following nationwide shortage of powdered infant formula last year. According to the FDA and CDC, Cronobacter sakazkii is found naturally in the environment and is “particularly good” at surviving in dry foods like infant formula — which can get contaminated at home or in processing facilities.

“There are steps that people can take to prevent infections,” Dr. Julia Haston, a CDC expert in pediatric infectious diseases, previosuly told The Associated Press — including thoroughly washing, sanitizing and drying hands, equipment and all surfaces before feeding a baby.

A Gerber infant formula under voluntary recall for possible contamination with a germ that can seriously sicken babies was distributed to some US retailers even after the initial notice, according a release shared by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The Ireland-based Perrigo Company, which first issued the recall in March “out of an abundance of caution,” had said some products could be contaminated with the pathogenic Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, according to the release.

The recall impacts Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula and applies to products manufactured between January 2 and January 18 at the company’s facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

One of the recalled products was sent to Nashville-division retailers of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc, a cooperative wholesale distributor, after the initial recall notice on March 17, according to the release from the company, shared by the FDA.

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc’s independent retailers in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia received the 12.4-ounce version of the infant formula after that date.

“Consumers who purchased this product … in these states are urged to check any product they may have at home,” Perrigo’s statement read Sunday. Those who have any of the recalled formula should not use it and should instead discard it.

The Perrigo Company has not reported any products testing positive for the bacteria nor any related illnesses, according to a news release.

While Cronobacter sakazakii won’t cause symptoms in most people, the germ found commonly in the environment can trigger potentially deadly infections in infants, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Arrowroot Biscuits.
• Barley Single Grain Cereal.
• Carrot Sitter 2nd Food.
• Carrot Supported Sitter 1st Goods.
• Conventional Carrots.
• Conventional Sweet Potatoes.
• Diced Carrots Veggie Pickups.
• Flour Rice Long Grain.

The latest recall notice was issued on May 13, 2023, after it came to the notice of Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) that the recalled infant formula products were distributed to Nashville Division retailers after the recall notice was issued in March. The recall was announced as an abundance of caution and only affects Good Start® SootheProTM Infant Formula products.

As of now, neither the establishments nor the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received information of any adverse effects or fatalities regarding the consumption of the recalled products. Food contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria is known to cause illness, mainly among infants younger than two months old, and those with weakened immune systems.

The Cronobacter bacteria is good at surviving in low-moisture, dry foods, such as powdered infant formula/milk, and can often be deadly for young infants. An infection caused by this pathogen may have symptoms like - poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, or abnormal body movements. Parents who spot any of these symptoms in their children are advised to consult a doctor at the earliest.

The nationwide recall affects select lots of Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula. The recalled infant formula was manufactured by Perrigo Company at the Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. Produced between January 02, 2023, and January 18, 2023, the recalled product was sold all across the United States.

Feared to be contaminated with deadly Cronobacter Sakazakii bacteria, this product was recalled on March 17, 2023, out of an abundance of caution. The current recall notice is being issued by Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG), which has found out that the affected products were distributed to the Nashville Division retailers after the initial recall notice was issued in March.

As per AWG, the recalled Gerber products were distributed from its Nashville Division to independent retailers located in AL, GA, IN, KY, OH, TN, VA, and WV under the following retail banners: Belle Foods, Bellview Price Cutter, Booneville Shopwise, Brown County IGA, Buehler's, Buehler's Cash Saver, Buehler's IGA, Camridge City Market, Campbell's Market, Camron's Foodliner, Cash Saver, Cash Saver Harlan, Chappell's Hometown, Country Mart, Crossroads IGA, Food City, Food Giant, Food World, Foodland, Frabergs Foods, Fresh N Low, Gallion's Market, Gregerson's Cash Saver, Hilltop Cee Bee, Hometown IGA, Houchen's, Howard's IGA.

They were also distributed to - Laurel Grocery Company, Liberty IGA, Market Place, Noble's IGA, Parkview IGA, Noble's IGA, Parkview IGA, Piggly Wiggly, Piggly Wiggly Warrior, Price Cutter, Price Less Foods, Price Less IGA, Quality Foods, Riesbeck's, Rivertown IGA, Simpson's Supermarket, Spencer Cash Saver, Stop to Save, Sureway, Sureway Henderson, Swafford and Sons IGA, Tietgens Mt. Pleasant IGA, Valu Market, Versailles IGA, Vevay IGA, Village Market & Café, Walnut Creek Country Market, Winburn Fruit Market, and Woodruff's Supermarket.

Customers who may have purchased the infant formula from the aforementioned stores can recognize them by going through the list of the affected Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM 12.4 oz Infant Formula products given below:

Those who may have bought any of the affected products are strictly advised not to consume them. The recalled infant formula should be disposed of in a closed bin. Consumers with refund-related queries can get in touch with Gerber Parent Resource Center on behalf of Perrigo at 1-800-777-7690 anytime 24/7.

As per the original Gerber Infant Formula recall notice issued on March 17, 2023, the affected products sold across the United States did not test positive for the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria. At that time, the health agencies had not reported any adverse events related to the recalled product. No other products produced by Perrigo Company, at any of the manufacturing facilities were affected by the recall.

The Perrigo Company is recalling certain lots of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula because of potential Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. The product was distributed in the U.S. and was manufactured at the Company's Gateway Eau Claire, WI, manufacturing facility from Jan. 2 to 18, 2023.