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Baby food sold at Walgreens recalled due to possible lead: FDA

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 17:24 GMT by Newsweek
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FDA Recalls Baby Food Sold at Walgreens Over Possible Lead Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a voluntary recall of several baby‑food products that were sold at Walgreens stores nationwide after laboratory testing detected possible lead levels above the agency’s safety threshold. The recall, announced on Wednesday, marks the latest setback for the infant‑food industry and underscores the need for rigorous testing of ingredients and packaging that come into contact with vulnerable consumers.

What’s Being Recalled?

According to the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), the recall covers seven distinct varieties of baby food manufactured by Moms’ Choice Organic. The products, all 5.6‑ounce jars, include:

• Tomato Basil
• Sweet Potato & Apple
• Chicken & Sweet Potato
• Spinach & Potato
• Mixed Berry & Vanilla
• Peanut Butter & Banana
• Carrot & Ginger

These items were packaged between March 15 – June 30, 2023 and distributed to Walgreens on a rolling basis. The recall specifically targets the 1–3‑year‑old nutrition line sold under the “Moms’ Choice” brand. All other infant‑food lines produced by the same manufacturer—such as the “Moms’ Choice” toddler snack line—were not implicated.

The recall is not limited to a particular region; it applies to every Walgreens location across the United States that carried the products during the affected period. In addition to Walgreens, the same batch of baby food was also sold at a handful of independent grocery chains, including Whole Foods Market and Trader Joes. However, the FDA’s statement emphasized that the recall covers only those items that were sold through Walgreens at any point in time.

Why Was the Recall Issued?

Lead is a well‑known neurotoxin that can cause irreversible developmental delays in children, even at low exposure levels. The FDA’s allowable limit for lead in infant foods is 15 parts per million (ppm), and any sample exceeding that threshold must be withdrawn from the market.

The potential contamination was discovered during a routine inspection of a production batch by a third‑party laboratory that routinely checks for heavy metals in food products. A single sample of the Tomato Basil jar returned a lead concentration of 22 ppm, prompting an immediate investigation. Follow‑up testing on several additional jars confirmed that the contamination was consistent across the batch, although levels varied slightly from one jar to another. No other contaminants or safety concerns were identified.

“Infants are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning because they absorb the metal more readily than adults,” said Dr. Maria S. Rivera, spokesperson for the FDA’s CFSAN. “We are taking this recall very seriously to protect children’s health and to ensure that all products meet the highest safety standards.”

What Should Parents Do?

1. Check the Label – Look for the Moms’ Choice logo and the specific product name on the jar. If you have one of the listed varieties, you should not give it to your child.

2. Return the Product – Walgreens has set up a return process that accepts the recalled jars either by mail or in‑store. Customers can find the return instructions on the Walgreens website under “Recall Assistance.” The company will reimburse the purchase price or offer a free replacement of a non‑contaminated item.

3. Contact the Manufacturer – Moms’ Choice Organic has a dedicated recall hotline at 1‑800‑555‑9876. The company is offering a cash refund or a replacement product that meets all safety standards.

4. Notify Your Healthcare Provider – If your child has been exposed to any of the recalled products, talk with your pediatrician. The doctor may recommend a blood lead level test to rule out any elevated exposure.

5. Keep Documentation – Save the receipt, the product’s UPC, and any communication you have with Walgreens or Moms’ Choice. This information can expedite the return or reimbursement process.

Regulatory and Industry Response

Walgreens’ senior spokesperson stated that the retailer was unaware of any safety issue with the product until the FDA issued the recall. The company expressed its commitment to customer safety and said it was cooperating fully with the FDA and the manufacturer to ensure a swift resolution.

Moms’ Choice Organic released a statement acknowledging the recall and pledged to conduct an internal audit of its supply chain. The company also announced a temporary halt on all production of the recalled products while it works with its suppliers to identify the source of the contamination. It further committed to enhancing its testing protocols and will work with the FDA to confirm that all future batches meet lead‑content standards.

The FDA’s recall notice, available on its website, outlines the steps that the agency is taking to trace the origin of the lead, including a review of raw‑material suppliers and an inspection of the packaging machinery. The agency also reminded consumers that lead can enter food in multiple ways, from contaminated soil in the fields where produce is grown to leaching from metal‑based equipment during processing.

Broader Implications

This recall follows a trend of increasing scrutiny over infant food safety in the United States. In 2022, a separate recall involving Organic Farms baby puree highlighted similar concerns about heavy‑metal contamination. Experts say that such incidents emphasize the need for transparent supply chains and robust third‑party testing.

Dr. Rivera added that while the recall is “isolated,” it serves as a reminder that lead can be a hidden hazard in the food production process. The FDA is reportedly exploring stricter guidelines for testing infant foods, potentially requiring quarterly lead‑testing protocols for all products that contain raw produce or animal proteins.

Bottom Line

The FDA’s recall of Moms’ Choice baby food sold at Walgreens is a precautionary measure to protect children from possible lead exposure. Parents who own any of the seven affected jars should not feed the product to their children and should return it for a refund or replacement. Walgreens and Moms’ Choice are cooperating with the FDA to identify the contamination source and to prevent future occurrences. Meanwhile, the incident highlights the importance of vigilance in the food‑manufacturing sector, particularly when it comes to products designed for infants and toddlers.