欧博Nestle Recalls Gerber Baby Teething Snack Perman
All flavors of a baby and toddler teething product distributed in 42 states and sold nationwide have been discontinued permanently.
A potential choking hazard in babies and young children led Nestle to recall and permanently discontinue Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks in strawberry, apple, and banana flavors, according to a July 22 FDA enforcement report.
“Children or infants are considered a vulnerable population along with pregnant women and the elderly,” Registrar Corp food safety director Fabiola Negrón told NTD. “The expectation is that recall actions are conducted promptly to prevent consumer illness, injury or sometimes death. It depends on the situation.”
Teething is a reference to a baby's teeth that are growing through their gums, which can cause soreness. As a result, babies and toddlers are often given something to chew on to help alleviate the pain.
The Gerber teething sticks were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, 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, and internationally in Puerto Rico.
“We recalled all batches of the product,” a Nestle spokesperson told NTD.
The Gerber teething stick was packaged as “baby’s first snack for teething comfort” and a “breakthrough edible teether.”
The FDA enforcement report further stated that the recall had been terminated, which Negrón said means the recall was carried out successfully.
“There is no other action needed,” she said. “The product will not be produced or distributed any longer.”
The FDA also said the recall was initiated on Jan. 31 after receiving customer complaints of choking incidents and one emergency room visit.
“Consumers who find the product for sale in the market should not purchase the product,” the FDA stated on April 18.
In a press release, Gerber Products Company leaders said a second alert was issued in April due to reports of recalled product still available for sale on some retailer shelves and online.
"Certain retailers had not removed the product from the shelves and the firm decided to issue a second recall reminder to ensure that consumers did not purchase the product and retailers took the necessary action," Negrón added. "When a recall event takes place, manufacturers ae responsible for beginning a chain of communication and ensure the message has been received."