Latest news with #BowmanAndros
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Publix recalls baby food sold in more than 1,400 stores after testing finds elevated lead levels
The supermarket chain Publix has recalled fruit and vegetable baby food sold in eight states because product testing found elevated levels of lead, according to federal health officials. Publix recalled 4-ounce Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches sold at more than 1,400 stores. The pouches were produced by Bowman Andros, a French company with a manufacturing plant in Mount Jackson, Virginia, according to the company's website. Publix issued the voluntary recall on May 9, but it wasn't added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall list until late Thursday. The potential contamination was flagged by officials in North Carolina, the state that first identified a 2023 lead poisoning outbreak linked to tainted applesauce pouches that sickened more than 500 U.S. children. Routine sampling of the baby food pouches found lead levels at 13.4 parts per billion, according to North Carolina agriculture officials. That exceeds the FDA's recommended limit of 10 parts per billion for such products intended for babies and young children. Publix said all the potentially contaminated products have been removed from store shelves. No illnesses have been reported, the company said. Customers can return the pouches to local stores for full refund. This is the second baby food pouch recall because of potential lead contamination in two months. In March, Target recalled more than 25,000 packages of its store brand Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree because of elevated lead levels. North Carolina collaborates with the FDA to conduct routine testing of food products, officials said. In 2023, state health officials investigated reports of lead poisoning in four children who consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree. Those findings led to the detection of a nationwide outbreak linked to the pouches, which were widely sold in Dollar Tree and other stores. Tests showed they contained lead at levels 2,000 times higher than the FDA's maximum recommended level, as well as chromium. Federal health officials eventually identified 566 cases of confirmed, probable or suspected cases of lead poisoning tied to the pouches in 44 states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's childhood lead poisoning program investigated the applesauce outbreak and coordinated the state and federal response. However, the program was eliminated in April as part of federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. CDC officials didn't say whether or how the agency would respond to a similar outbreak now. A spokesperson said the agency is aware of the Publix baby food recall but hasn't been asked to assist with any investigation. There is no safe level of lead exposure, according to the CDC. While the heavy metal is toxic to people of all ages, it can be especially harmful to children, causing damage to the brain and nervous system and slow growth and development. Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Publix has recalled baby food due to lead levels. What shoppers should know
Publix has recalled fruit and vegetable baby food sold under its GreenWise brand in Florida and seven other states after testing found elevated amounts of lead. Publix announced the recall on its website on May 9 and it applies to all 1,404 stores in the Lakeland-based chain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted its recall announcement on Thursday. Exposure to lead, even small amounts, can be harmful to children, especially those ages 6 and younger, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead can harm the brain and nervous systems and lead to developmental problems like growth and speech. The recalled baby food comes in 4-ounce pouches of GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food with a best by date of 11/1/2025. The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is 41415-00901. Bowman Andros produced and distributed the baby food from its Virginia plant for Publix. The Pear, Kiwil, Spinach & Pea Baby Food was sold in the eight states Publix has stores in: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. Publix discovered the problem in North Carolina and initiated the recall after routine sampling discovered elevated amounts of lead. North Carolina agricultural officials found levels at 13.4 parts per billion in the samples, according to ABC News. In January, the FDA offered a guidance report that recommended a limit of 10 parts per billion for products intended for babies and young children. 'As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted products have been removed from all store shelves,' Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous said in the FDA recall announcement. 'To date, there have been no reported cases of illness.' Consumers who have purchased the GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food may return the pouches to their local store for a full refund, Brous said. Publix customers with additional questions can call the customer care department at 800-242-1227. Miami's Fruselva USA recalled two lots of Good & Gather baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree that it manufactures for Target stores nationwide in March. The concern? The possibility it contained too much lead. That Target baby food recall covered lot Nos. 4169 with a best by date of Dec. 9, 2025, and 4167 with a best by date of Dec. 7, 2025. About 25,600 4-ounce bowls were in that recall. Miami Herald reporter David J. Neal contributed to this report.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Publix recalls baby food pouches after testing finds elevated levels of lead
The supermarket chain Publix has recalled fruit and vegetable baby food sold in eight states because product testing found elevated levels of lead, according to federal health officials. Publix recalled 4-ounce Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches sold at more than 1,400 stores. The pouches were produced by Bowman Andros, a French company with a manufacturing plant in Mount Jackson, Virginia, according to the company's website. Publix issued the voluntary recall on May 9, but it wasn't added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall list until late Thursday. The potential contamination was flagged by officials in North Carolina, the state that first identified a 2023 lead poisoning outbreak linked to tainted applesauce pouches that sickened more than 500 U.S. children. Routine sampling of the baby food pouches found lead levels at 13.4 parts per billion, according to North Carolina agriculture officials. That exceeds the FDA's recommended limit of 10 parts per billion for such products intended for babies and young children. Publix said all the potentially contaminated products have been removed from store shelves. No illnesses have been reported, the company said. Customers can return the pouches to local stores for full refund. This is the second baby food pouch recall because of potential lead contamination in two months. In March, Target recalled more than 25,000 packages of its store brand Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree because of elevated lead levels. North Carolina collaborates with the FDA to conduct routine testing of food products, officials said. In 2023, state health officials investigated reports of lead poisoning in four children who consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree. Those findings led to the detection of a nationwide outbreak linked to the pouches, which were widely sold in Dollar Tree and other stores. Tests showed they contained lead at levels 2,000 times higher than the FDA's maximum recommended level, as well as chromium. Federal health officials eventually identified 566 cases of confirmed, probable or suspected cases of lead poisoning tied to the pouches in 44 states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's childhood lead poisoning program investigated the applesauce outbreak and coordinated state and federal response. However, the program was eliminated in April as part of federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. CDC officials didn't say whether or how the agency would respond to a similar outbreak now. A spokesperson said the agency is aware of the Publix baby food recall but hasn't been asked to assist with any investigation. There is no safe level of lead exposure, according to CDC. While the heavy metal is toxic to people of all ages, it can be especially harmful to children, causing damage to the brain and nervous system and slow growth and development. Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Publix recalls baby food pouches after testing finds elevated levels of lead
The supermarket chain Publix has recalled fruit and vegetable baby food sold in eight states because product testing found elevated levels of lead, according to federal health officials. Publix recalled 4-ounce Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches sold at more than 1,400 stores. The pouches were produced by Bowman Andros, a French company with a manufacturing plant in Mount Jackson, Virginia, according to the company's website. Publix issued the voluntary recall on May 9, but it wasn't added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall list until late Thursday.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Publix recalls baby food pouches after testing finds elevated levels of lead
The supermarket chain Publix has recalled fruit and vegetable baby food sold in eight states because product testing found elevated levels of lead, according to federal health officials. Publix recalled 4-ounce Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches sold at more than 1,400 stores. The pouches were produced by Bowman Andros, a French company with a manufacturing plant in Mount Jackson, Virginia, according to the company's website. Publix issued the voluntary recall on May 9, but it wasn't added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall list until late Thursday. The potential contamination was flagged by officials in North Carolina, the state that first identified a 2023 lead poisoning outbreak linked to tainted applesauce pouches that sickened more than 500 U.S. children. Routine sampling of the baby food pouches found lead levels at 13.4 parts per billion, according to North Carolina agriculture officials. That exceeds the FDA's recommended limit of 10 parts per billion for such products intended for babies and young children. Publix said all the potentially contaminated products have been removed from store shelves. No illnesses have been reported, the company said. Customers can return the pouches to local stores for full refund. This is the second baby food pouch recall because of potential lead contamination in two months. In March, Target recalled more than 25,000 packages of its store brand Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree because of elevated lead levels. North Carolina collaborates with the FDA to conduct routine testing of food products, officials said. In 2023, state health officials investigated reports of lead poisoning in four children who consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree. Those findings led to the detection of a nationwide outbreak linked to the pouches, which were widely sold in Dollar Tree and other stores. Tests showed they contained lead at levels 2,000 times higher than the FDA's maximum recommended level, as well as chromium. Federal health officials eventually identified 566 cases of confirmed, probable or suspected cases of lead poisoning tied to the pouches in 44 states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's childhood lead poisoning program investigated the applesauce outbreak and coordinated state and federal response. However, the program was eliminated in April as part of federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. CDC officials didn't say whether or how the agency would respond to a similar outbreak now. A spokesperson said the agency is aware of the Publix baby food recall but hasn't been asked to assist with any investigation. There is no safe level of lead exposure, according to CDC. While the heavy metal is toxic to people of all ages, it can be especially harmful to children, causing damage to the brain and nervous system and slow growth and development. Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
