Late last week, Gerber Products Company out of Virginia announced the recall and discontinuation of their GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS. According to the FDA, concerns about choking prompted the recall.
The recall, which Gerber initiated on January 31st, applies to all lots of GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS. The product was distributed through retailers and online channels to all but four states in the U.S. and to Puerto Rico. The only states to which the product was not distributed include New Mexico, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The recalled products include all lots of the following: GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE (UPC # 0 15000 04618 7), GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA (UPC # UPC 0 15000 04608 8), and GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA (UPC # UPC 0 15000 01015 7).
GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS are sold in a blue box with white lettering. The box features the Gerber baby logo next to a message that reads, “Snacks for Baby.” Each box also features a golden seal, claiming to be the “#1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand” and an image of the product gripped in a baby’s fist. The teething sticks are marketed for babies that are able to sit up without assistance and that are at least six months of age.
While no deaths have been reported in connection to the recalled product, Gerber has received complaints from customers and one notice of an emergency room visit linked to a choking incident. The company has not provided any further details about the incident, but they have pledged to cooperate fully with the FDA on the recall. At this time, there are no plans to resume production and sale of the product.
Gerber Products Company urges anyone who may have purchased the recalled teething sticks to refrain from giving them to their babies and to return them immediately to the point of purchase for a full refund.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Gerber at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).
Has your baby suffered a choking incident that could be attributed to the dangerous size, shape, or texture of a packaged food product? After a traumatic, life-threatening medical event, your family deserves maximum compensation. Our attorneys at TruLaw are personally motivated in helping families like yours seek the best outcome. To learn more, contact us online today or take our free Instant Case Evaluation ℠ .