Has Any Toxic Baby Food Been Recalled? | ELG Law (2024)

FAQs

Has any baby food been recalled? ›

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on March 17, 2023, announced a recall. The recall involved multiple lots of Gerber baby food. The lots were being recalled because they might contain Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria. The Gerber Sooth Pro recall came just a year after Abbott recalled powdered infant formula.

The baby food lawsuit alleges seven baby food companies knowingly sold — and continue to sell — products tainted with heavy metals that can cause brain damage. Specifically, brain damage that manifests as diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. The companies charged in the lawsuit include: Beech-Nut.

​California passed AB 899, which requires baby foods to be tested for lead and other heavy metals and the results of those tests to be made publicly available.

Notwithstanding the calls for manufacturers to ensure healthier baby foods, major brands such as Earth's Best Organic, Gerber and Hot Kid still exhibit variable levels of these harmful metals in their products. Such exposure can potentially impair children's IQ and cause developmental issues.

Reckitt/Mead Johnson is taking extra caution and recalling certain batches of 12.6 oz and 19.8 oz cans of Nutramigen powder infant formula due to possible Cronobacter sakazkii contamination.

A concerning amount of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead can still be found in many baby foods including rice and rice products, sweet potatoes, and carrots, according to latest testing from Consumer Reports.

A Quick Summary of the Toxic Baby Food Lawsuits

We are actively pursuing baby food lawsuits against the following manufacturers: Gerber, Beech-Nut, Plum Organics, Sprout Foods, Nurture (Happy Baby & Happy Family Organics), and Walmart (Parent's Choice).

Autism Lawsuit Filed Over Toxic Metals in Gerber, Sprout, and Walmart Baby Food Products. Walmart, Beech-Nut and Gerber face a product liability lawsuit alleging that a child's autism diagnosis was caused by mercury, lead and arsenic in baby food products sold by the companies in recent years.

In April 2021, the FDA announced the “Closer to Zero” plan, under which the agency committed to proposing “action levels” for lead in various baby foods by April 2022; inorganic arsenic in various baby foods by April 2024; and cadmium and mercury sometime after April 2024.

What is the Class Act lawsuit for baby food? ›

This class action lawsuit claims that the defendants violated consumer protection laws by falsely marketing their baby food products as safe when they knew they contained toxic heavy metals. The plaintiffs are all general consumers who purchased baby foods manufactured by the defendants.

In 2018, Consumer Reports measured lead levels in 50 baby foods and found that 80% had levels below 10 parts per billion. While there is no safe level for lead in food, Ronholm said the limit should be closer to 3 parts per billion.

While there is no evidence to suggest that baby food causes autism, some parents may be concerned about the ingredients in their baby's food. If you have concerns, it is important to talk to a pediatrician or registered dietitian to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Gerber Baby Food Found to Contain High Levels of Toxic Metals. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium are toxic to the human body. Many of them, such as lead and mercury, have been linked explicitly to neurological problems in young children with developing brains.

Schnucks, WanaBana, and Weis Cinnamon Apple Purée and Applesauce Products Recalled Due to Lead Contamination. Update, Dec. 7, 2023: The Food and Drug Administration said the number of children who have been possibly harmed by lead contamination from the recalled apple-cinnamon fruit pouches rose to 64.

Gerber Good Start Recalled Over Bacteria Risk

The FDA announced the recall on March 17, 2023 after the agency determined that certain lots of the popular baby food manufactured at a specific plant in Wisconsin may be contaminated with the bacteria.

A 2021 congressional report from the House Oversight Committee found high levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium among products sold by various brands, including Gerber, Beech-Nut, Earth's Best Organics maker Hain Celestial and Happy Family Organics maker Nurture Inc.

Gerber is Voluntarily Recalling Two Batches of GERBER® Organic 2ND FOODS® Pouches. This recall does not impact any other Gerber pouches, other Gerber products or any Gerber products outside of the US. Consumers may notice that, in some cases, the pouches are bloated and product inside may have an off taste or odor.