Publix recalls baby food pouches after testing finds elevated levels of lead

Publix supermarket chain has issued a recall for certain fruit and vegetable baby food products in eight states after tests revealed increased levels of lead, as confirmed by federal health authorities. The recalled 4-ounce Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches were sold at over 1,400 Publix stores. The pouches were manufactured by Bowman Andros, a French company with a production facility in Mount Jackson, Virginia. The voluntary recall was initiated by Publix on May 9 but was officially listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recall inventory later on Thursday.

The issue of potential contamination was raised by authorities in North Carolina, the same state that identified a lead poisoning outbreak in 2023 associated with contaminated applesauce pouches that affected over 500 children in the U.S. Routine testing of the baby food pouches in North Carolina found lead levels at 13.4 parts per billion, exceeding the FDA’s recommended limit of 10 parts per billion for products meant for infants and young kids. Publix assured that all affected products have been taken off the shelves, and no illnesses have been reported. Customers can return the pouches to Publix stores for a full refund.

This marks the second recall of baby food pouches due to potential lead contamination in two months. In March, Target recalled over 25,000 packages of its Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree for the same reason. North Carolina officials mentioned that they work closely with the FDA to conduct regular food product testing.

In 2023, a lead poisoning investigation was launched in North Carolina following reports of four children consuming WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree. This led to the discovery of a national outbreak associated with the pouches, which were extensively sold in Dollar Tree and other stores. Tests revealed lead levels in the pouches that were 2,000 times higher than the FDA’s recommended maximum level, along with chromium. The outbreak was linked to 566 confirmed, probable, or suspected lead poisoning cases in 44 states.

The CDC’s childhood lead poisoning program, which investigated the applesauce incident and coordinated a state and federal response, was terminated in April due to budget cuts under the Trump administration. The CDC has not disclosed its plans for responding to similar outbreaks in the present day. The agency is aware of the Publix baby food recall but has not been requested to aid in any investigations. The CDC asserts that there is no safe level of lead exposure, emphasizing the severe health risks it poses, especially to children. Lead contamination in food products can originate from various sources like soil, air, water, or industrial activities, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.