Baby Food Recall Expands to 28 US States

‘Exposure to lead, even at low levels, may increase blood lead levels,’ Sprout Organics said.

An image of the recalled Sprout Organics Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach baby food product. Courtesy of the FDA

Florida-based Sprout Organics is expanding a previous call of its “Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach” baby food product to additional lots and regions across the United States, citing “potentially elevated lead levels,” the company said in an announcement published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sept. 23.

The initial recall, issued on Sept. 16, was applicable to a single lot of the 3.5 oz. pouch items that were sold in Walgreens and some independent stores in the southern United States, with most of the sales occurring between September and December 2024.

In its latest update, the recall has been expanded to 28 states—Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming—and includes online sales.

The items were not sold via any large retail chain other than Walgreens, the company said.

The original recall was for lot code 4212, with the updated recall including lot codes 4213, 4282, and 4310. The items have “Best By” dates ranging from Oct. 29, 2025, to Feb. 4, 2026.

“Exposure to lead, even at low levels, may increase blood lead levels. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead,” Sprout Organics said in the announcement.

“The effects of lead depend upon the amount and duration of exposure and age/body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time, this can affect learning and development or cause other long-term health problems.”

At present, no reports of illnesses have been reported due to the consumption of the recalled item, the company said. No other products from Sprout Organics are subject to the recall.

The potential lead contamination was identified during routine sampling of the products.

“If consumers have product matching the ... description in their possession, they should return it to their local store for a full refund,” the company said.

Customers with queries can contact Sprout Organics at 510-833-6089.

The Epoch Times reached out to Sprout Organics for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

Lead exposure is a serious threat to children. Avoiding childhood exposure to lead is one of the key steps in ensuring lifelong good health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an April 2024 post.

“The health effects of exposure are more harmful to children less than six years of age. Younger children’s bodies are still developing and growing rapidly,” the agency said.

Among children, exposure to lead can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, hearing and speech issues, problems with learning and behavior, and slowed growth and development.

This can lead to a lower IQ for such children, lower ability to pay attention, and underperformance in school.

“Lead quickly enters the blood and can harm a child’s health. Once a child swallows lead, their blood lead level rises. Once a child’s exposure to lead stops, the amount of lead in the blood decreases gradually,” the CDC said.

“Lead is also stored in bones. It can take decades for lead stored in the bones to decrease.”

In January, the FDA issued final guidance for setting maximum levels for lead presence in baby food products, including dry cereal, jarred fruits and veggies, and yogurts.

According to the FDA, the guidance is expected to reduce lead exposure through processed baby food by about 20 to 30 percent.