Federal health officials report that the supermarket chain Publix is selling fruit and vegetable baby food in eight states.
Specifically, Publix has identified the 4-ounce pouches of green pear, kiwi, spinach, and peas baby food, which are found in over 1,400 stores.
As stated on the company’s website, the pouch was manufactured by Bowman Andros, a French firm with a plant located in Mount Jackson, Virginia. Publix enacted a voluntary recall on May 9th, which was not included in the US Food and Drug Administration Recall List until late Thursday.
The potential contamination was flagged by officials in North Carolina. A lead poisoning outbreak in 2023 has been associated with a contaminated applesauce pouch that made over 500 children in the US ill.
Agricultural authorities in North Carolina reported that daily testing of baby food pouches revealed lead levels at 13.4 parts per billion, exceeding the FDA’s recommended limit of 10 parts for such products intended for infants and young children.
All potentially contaminated products have been withdrawn from store shelves, according to Publix. So far, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the product, and customers may return the pouches to their local stores for a full refund.
This incident marks the second recall of baby food pouches within two months. In March, Target recalled over 25,000 packages of its store-brand purees, which included vegetable blends of baby peas, zucchini, kale, and thyme, due to elevated lead levels.
Officials stated that North Carolina is collaborating with the FDA to conduct ongoing food testing.
In 2023, state health officials examined reports of lead poisoning in four children who had consumed Wanabana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree. These investigations led to the identification of nationwide outbreaks linked to the pouches, which were sold at Dollar Tree and other retailers. Testing indicated lead levels that were 2,000 times greater than the FDA’s maximum recommended level, surpassing the amount of chromium.
Federal health officials ultimately recorded 566 confirmed or suspected cases of lead poisoning associated with these products across 44 states.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Program facilitated the response to the applesauce outbreak alongside state and federal efforts. However, the program was eliminated in April as part of federal budget cuts under the Trump administration.
CDC officials have not disclosed how the agency would react to similar outbreaks in the future. A spokesperson noted that while the CDC is aware of Publix’s baby food recall, they have not been asked to assist in the investigation.
The CDC underscores that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Heavy metals are toxic to individuals of all ages but are especially detrimental to children, impacting brain and nervous system development and hindering growth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that heavy metals like lead can contaminate food via soil, air, water, or industrial processes.
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Source: apnews.com