Is There a Recall on Toxic Baby Food in 2022?

In 2022, there were multiple food and formula recalls, in addition to an unprecedented baby formula shortage. Abbott Labs recalled several lots of infant formula for bacterial contamination and faulty packaging. Beech-Nut Nutrition Company and Maple Island Inc. also voluntarily recalled baby cereals that tested with high arsenic levels.

A 2021 Congressional Report by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy prompted the Beech-Nut and Maple Island recalls in part. According to the Report, several major baby food producers sold baby foods with dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals. Many companies named in the Report did not remove products from the shelves or issue recalls. 

You may be able to seek compensation if your child became ill due to a contaminated product. A mass torts lawyer who handles toxic baby food cases can advise of your legal rights and help you seek justice. 

2022 Toxic Baby Food Recalls

While the recalled toxic baby food products were removed from shelves and online stores, these measures do not account for babies already exposed to dangerous substances. If you believe you may still have contaminated baby food in your home, check for the following recalled toxic baby food products:

Similac Infant Formula

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Abbott Nutrition recalled several infant formulas in February 2022 after children became sick with Cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella bacteria. The recalled products and lot numbers include Similac, Alimentum®, and EleCare® powdered infant formula manufactured at their Sturgis, Michigan facility. 

Check the multi-digit lot code on the bottom of the can or case for the following details:

  • First two digits of 22 through 37
  • Code contains K8, SH, or Z2
  • Expiration date after April 1, 2022
  • Can lot code 27032K80
  • Case lot code 27032K800

In October 2022, Abbott also recalled ready-to-feed liquid products in 2 fl oz bottles due to a bottle cap defect that could allow the product to spoil. Products in this recall include:

  • Similac Pro-Total Comfort®
  • Similac® 360 Total Care®
  • Similac® 360 Total Care® Sensitive
  • Similac® Special Care® 24
  • Similac® Stage 1
  • Similac® Water (Sterilized)
  • Similac® NeoSure®
  • Pedialyte® Electrolyte Solution

If your child contracted a bacterial infection because of the Abbott Labs powdered or liquid baby formula products, you could pursue damages in a class action lawsuit or individual product liability claim. 

Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal

According to the FDA, Beech-Nut recalled their Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal in June 2021 when it tested high for arsenic. Products included in the recall have the following details on the bottom of the cereal canister:

  • UPC Code# 52200034705
  • Expiration date May 1, 2022
  • Product codes 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX

Shortly after the recall, Beech-Nut announced that it would stop selling the single grain rice cereal altogether. Although the recall was in 2021, the expiration date for recalled products was May 2022, so overlooked products could still be in your kitchen cupboard. 

Maple Island, Inc. Parents’ Choice Rice Baby Cereal

In October 2021, Maple Island Inc. recalled three lots of its Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal, sold exclusively by Walmart. Under testing, Maple Island rice cereal exhibited elevated levels of arsenic. Walmart has removed the products from their shelves and online stores. If you purchased this product in 2021 or 2022, check for the following recall information:

  • Lot 21083, UPC Code #00681131082907, Use by Date June 24, 2022
  • Lot 21084, UPC Code #00681131082907, Use by Date June 25, 2022
  • Lot 21242, UPC Code #00681131082907, Use by Date November 30, 2022

If your child became ill after consuming recalled baby food products, you may have grounds to pursue a product liability lawsuit. Consult a mass torts attorney with experience handling toxic baby food lawsuits in your area. 

Congressional Report: Baby Foods Are Tainted With Toxic Substances

The Congressional Report published named seven major baby food brands whose products tested positive for dangerous levels of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Exposure to these metals can cause significant long-term damage to babies, including:

  • Brain and neurological damage
  • Decreased IQ
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism
  • Immunological health risks
  • Compromised cognitive development
  • Respiratory illness
  • Gastrointestinal illness
  • Renal, skin, and hepatic illness
  • Blood-related disorders

Baby Food Manufacturers Named in the Congressional Report

The brands whose products contained these heavy include the following:

  • Nurture, Inc., which sells HappyBABY and Happy Family Organics products
  • Beech-Nut Nutrition Company
  • Hain Celestial Group, Inc., which makes and sells Earth’s Best Organic products
  • Gerber
  • Campbell Soup Company, which also sells baby food under Plum Organics
  • Walmart, Inc., which includes Maple Island Inc.’s Parents’ Choice baby foods
  • Sprout Foods, Inc., aka Sprout Organic Foods

Beech-Nut, Hain, Gerber, and Nurture provided testing policies, results, and other documentation for the Subcommittee review. Walmart, Campbell, and Sprout Organic did not provide evidence to prove that they were testing for heavy metals in their baby food products. However, Walmart’s baby food brand, Maple Island, did issue a recall of certain products, as indicated above. 

The Congressional Report shows that the companies’ internal testing limits allow for dangerously high levels of these toxic heavy metals, levels significantly higher than the FDA permits. In that case, the companies who manufacture these baby food products could be responsible for illnesses in infants and children occasioned by toxic heavy metal exposure. 

Pursuing a Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit After a 2022 Recall

As of November 2022, class action lawsuits have been filed against Sprout Foods and Gerber’s Plum brand for toxic metals present in baby food. Both cases have been dismissed. One judge cited a 2021 FDA letter that states there is no immediate danger to baby health from the toxic metals in baby foods. Still, multiple independent claims against baby food manufacturers remain.

Depending on the outcome of these, the dismissed cases could be reintroduced with new evidence, or claimants could file new class action suits. If these products harmed your child, a mass torts lawyer familiar with baby food contamination lawsuits can determine whether you have grounds to pursue a lawsuit against a toxic baby food manufacturer.

If there is an existing class action lawsuit, your attorney can help you join the lawsuit and represent you during proceedings. Otherwise, you can still file an independent product defect lawsuit. When enough people file lawsuits for toxic baby food contamination, the claims may be consolidated into a mass torts lawsuit, also called multi-district litigation (MDL). 

Toxic Baby Food Recall Attorneys to Help With Your Claim

If your child suffered illness or injury because of recalled toxic baby food, you could pursue financial recovery. A mass torts attorney in our network can help you pursue compensation for the medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses you suffered. Fill out our online form to connect with a toxic baby food lawsuit attorney in your area.