Gerber Products Company has expanded its recall of the popular “Soothe n Chew Teething Stick” after the product was still found for sale nearly three months after the first warning. This recall affects stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
Why Is This Recall Important?
The “Soothe n Chew Teething Stick” is made for infants who are teething—a stage when babies are especially at risk of choking. Gerber began the recall after reports from consumers about choking incidents linked to the product. Since infants do not have the ability to safely chew or manage food well, any choking risk is a serious concern.
What Products Are Being Recalled?
The recall includes all batches of Gerber’s “Soothe n Chew Teething Sticks” in these flavors:
- Strawberry Apple, 3.2 oz (UPC 0 15000 04618 7)
- Banana, 3.2 oz (UPC 0 15000 04608 8)
- Banana, 1.58 oz (UPC 0 15000 01015 7)
All lot codes are included in the recall.
The product has been pulled from both physical stores and online retailers. However, the recall does not cover stores in Alaska, New Mexico, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
What Are Experts Saying?
Gerber apologized for any inconvenience and said it is cooperating fully with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Byron D. Chaves, a food safety expert at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, explained that small hard pieces or foreign material in food can cause choking, cuts, or other injuries. Items between 7 and 25 mm in size are especially dangerous for infants, who cannot properly chew or express discomfort.
What Should Parents and Caregivers Do?
Gerber asks parents and caregivers to stop feeding the recalled teething sticks to their babies immediately. Consumers should return the products to the store where they bought them for a full refund.
For questions or help, customers can call Gerber’s support line anytime at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).
This recall highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to infant foods and products, especially during sensitive stages like teething.
