Gerber Has Recalled and Discontinued “All Batches” of a Baby Product in the USA and Puerto Rico

Food recalls have increased in the past year, largely due to the vigilance of quality and safety inspectors and efficient public messaging systems. In the majority of cases it’s a government agency, typically the FDA, that publishes the announcement (and we do our best to pass the information to you). But for grownups who know how painful teething can be for the baby and anyone who cares for them, on Friday, Nestlé USA, the parent company for Gerber, went to responsible lengths to make sure consumers are aware of a concern for harm to children in a product marketed for teething little ones.

“Gerber Products Company is initiating a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children,” a January 31 press release issued via PR Newswire reads. “The recall was initiated after receiving consumer complaints of choking incidents,” the announcement continued, adding: “To date, one emergency room visit has been reported.”

Courtesy Nestle USA

The company states that this recall applies to all lots of the following Gerber products with identifying product details:

• GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04618 7, all lot codes
• GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04608 8, all lot codes
• GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 1.59 Oz (45g), with UPC 0 15000 01015 7, all lot codes

The release adds that the product was distributed to the following states and Puerto Rico: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

A brief search shows that the product may have been sold through retailers such as Walmart, Target, Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, and others. It appears that some still have the product available for purchase.

As a course for remedy, the company says: “Consumers who may have purchased GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS should not feed this product to their child and can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a health care provider. For any additional support needed, Gerber is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).”

The company says they “sincerely apologize” for any inconvenience this presents to customers (though most would agree that when it comes to children’s wellbeing, it’s far better to be safe than sorry). “We are working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall,” the statement reads, “and will cooperate with them fully.”

A Saturday visit to the product page on Gerber’s site turned up an error message with no product listing.

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