Publix Super Markets, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall on Friday of GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food across all 1,404 stores in its eight-state operating area due to possible elevated levels of lead.
Newsweek reached out to Publix via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
Exposure to lead, which is a neurotoxin, can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children, reports the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Even small amounts can cause developmental delays, nervous system damage and impaired growth. Lead occurs naturally in some foods and can also result from environmental pollutants, making its complete elimination a challenge.
Lead contamination in baby food is particularly concerning as exposure can pose serious health risks, especially to infants and young children who are more vulnerable to its effects.
What To Know
The specific product being recalled is the 4-ounce pouches of GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food with a best-by date of 11/1/2025, distributed across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. The products are produced by Bowman Andros LLC.
Publix has already removed the affected products from all store shelves. The contamination was discovered through routine sampling procedures, and the recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA may conduct follow-up investigations regarding the source of lead contamination at the manufacturing facility. Parents and caretakers who have concerns about potential exposure should consult with their healthcare providers regarding appropriate next steps.
The FDA introduced new voluntary guidelines to reduce toxic lead levels in popular baby foods in March, aiming to “reduce dietary exposure to contaminants, including lead, in foods to as low as possible over time, while maintaining access to nutritious foods.”
According to Publix, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the product to date.
What People Are Saying
Publix’s director of communications Maria Brous: “As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted products have been removed from all store shelves. To date, there have been no reported cases of illness.”
What Happens Next
Customers who have purchased the affected baby food are advised to return it to their local Publix store for a full refund. The company has established a customer care hotline at 1-800-242-1227 for consumers with additional questions.
Publix will continue to offer refunds to customers who return the affected product.
Update 5/11/25, 2:30 p.m. ET: This article’s headline has been updated.
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