Supermarket chain Publix has issued a recall of a fruit and vegetable baby food pouch following tests that revealed elevated levels of lead. The voluntary recall affects more than 1,400 stores across eight US states and adds to mounting concerns over heavy metal contamination in children’s food.
The recall comes less than two months after a similar issue prompted Target to pull its Good & Gather vegetable purée from shelves. Public health officials continue to monitor for contamination risks following a major lead poisoning outbreak in 2023 that affected hundreds of children nationwide.
Lead Detected Above Recommended Threshold in Routine Testing
The affected product, a 4-ounce Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea baby food pouch, was recalled on 9 May by Publix and manufactured by Bowman Andros, a French food company operating a facility in Mount Jackson, Virginia.
According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, routine testing found lead concentrations of 13.4 parts per billion — surpassing the US Food and Drug Administration’s recommended limit of 10 parts per billion for foods intended for infants and young children.
North Carolina officials reportedly detected the contamination as part of ongoing monitoring procedures initiated in response to the 2023 applesauce pouch incident.
That previous outbreak, traced back to WanaBana products sold in stores such as Dollar Tree, involved lead concentrations nearly 2,000 times higher than federal limits and affected over 560 children across 44 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the Publix product. The company stated that all potentially contaminated items have been removed from shelves, and customers may return them for a full refund. The FDA added the item to its official recall list on Thursday, 23 May.
Broader Scrutiny of Heavy Metal Contamination in Children’s Food
Experts warn that lead exposure poses a significant health risk, especially for infants and toddlers.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no known safe level of lead in children, with even low doses potentially impacting brain development, behaviour, and growth. Heavy metals can enter the food supply through contaminated soil, water, or industrial processing.
This marks the second baby food-related recall due to lead this spring. In March, Target withdrew over 25,000 units of its vegetable purée due to similar concerns.
While federal health authorities continue to investigate supply chain vulnerabilities, the CDC’s dedicated childhood lead poisoning prevention program was recently cut under a federal budget adjustment, raising questions about the capacity for long-term surveillance.
According to agency representatives, the CDC is aware of the Publix recall but has not been formally requested to assist in the investigation.
