A nationwide recall of Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits has been issued after reports revealed the presence of potentially harmful foreign materials in the product. The recall, which spans more than 250,000 cases of the popular baby food, was prompted by the possibility of contamination with soft plastic or paper. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this product is considered to pose a moderate health risk to consumers, particularly children, who are the primary demographic for this snack.
The contamination is believed to have originated from a batch of flour supplied to Gerber by a third-party supplier. While no illnesses or injuries have been reported, the company is acting out of an abundance of caution. Gerber is no longer working with the supplier responsible for the contaminated flour, and efforts are underway to mitigate any further risk.
The Recall Details: Affected Products and Consumer Safety
On January 26, 2026, Gerber Products Company announced the voluntary recall of certain batches of its Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits. The affected products are limited to those produced between July and September of 2025. These biscuits were distributed nationwide, including Puerto Rico. According to the FDA, the contaminated batches represent a substantial number of units, more than 250,000 cases of the 5.5-ounce biscuits.
The potential contaminants identified in the products include small pieces of soft plastic or paper that should not be consumed. According to Gerber, these foreign materials originated from the arrowroot flour supplied by a third-party vendor. The batches affected are identified by specific batch codes and best-before dates, which consumers can check on the product packaging. The affected batch codes range from 5198565504 to 5259565505, with best-before dates spanning from October 16, 2026, to December 16, 2026.
The recall was given a Class II risk classification by the FDA, indicating that the risk of serious health consequences from consuming the affected biscuits is remote. However, the presence of foreign material poses a clear choking hazard, as well as the risk of tooth damage or digestive tract injury, particularly for children. Given the nature of the affected product and its primary consumer base (infants and young children) the risk is taken very seriously by both the company and regulators.
Consumer Action: What You Need to Know
Gerber has urged consumers who purchased the recalled biscuits to stop feeding them to children immediately. The company is offering full refunds for the affected products, which can be returned to the retailer where they were purchased. Gerber has reassured consumers that no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date. The company also emphasized that their commitment to the safety and quality of their products remains a top priority.
Despite the recall, Gerber continues to maintain that their overall product line is not affected. No other Gerber products are involved in this voluntary recall, and the company has committed to working closely with the FDA to ensure a thorough investigation and to prevent similar issues in the future.
Gerber has faced similar issues in the past, as foreign material contamination has long been a persistent problem in the food industry. A 2023 study by the National Institutes of Health highlighted the widespread nature of such contamination, noting that foreign materials like plastic and paper have been responsible for about one in ten food recalls over the past two decades. The study further pointed out that plastic fragments are the most common form of contamination in food recalls.
For those with concerns or questions, Gerber has made a consumer hotline available at 1-800-4-GERBER. The company also stated that they are fully cooperating with the FDA’s ongoing review of the situation.
