If you’ve recently bought baby food from Target, you might need to check your pantry. Target has just recalled more than 25,000 packages of their Good & Gather baby food because of elevated lead levels. As a parent, I know how scary food recalls can be, especially when they involve our little ones. You trust the stores and brands you buy from, and finding out there might be something harmful in your baby’s food is truly unsettling. But don’t panic – here’s what you need to know about this recall and what to do if you have this product at home.
What baby food products are being recalled
The specific product being recalled is Target’s Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree. It comes in 4-ounce containers, which is the typical small tub size you’ll find in the baby food aisle. Not all of these products are affected – only those with certain lot numbers and expiration dates. The recall affects packages with lot number 4167 (best by date of December 7, 2025) and lot number 4169 (best by date of December 9, 2025). To check if your baby food is part of the recall, look at the bottom or side of the package for these numbers.
The UPC code for the affected product is 1 91907-99314 1, which you can find on the barcode. According to Target, about 25,600 units have been distributed nationwide both in Target stores and through online orders. The manufacturer of this product is Fruselva, a Miami-based company that makes the baby food for Target’s store brand. If you don’t see these specific details on your Good & Gather baby food, then your product is not part of this recall and should be safe to use.
Why the baby food was recalled
Target issued this voluntary recall after testing found elevated levels of lead in these specific lots of baby food. Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful even in small amounts, especially for babies and young children. The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, which means that the products could cause temporary or reversible health problems, but are unlikely to cause serious harm. Still, this doesn’t mean you should take the recall lightly. There’s actually no safe level of lead exposure for children, according to health experts.
How did lead get into baby food in the first place? While the exact source hasn’t been specified in this case, lead can enter food products in several ways. It can come from contaminated soil where ingredients are grown, from processing equipment, or from other ingredients added to the food. The FDA has been working to reduce lead in foods, especially those eaten by babies and young children, through their Closer to Zero initiative. This program aims to set stricter limits on heavy metals in foods made for our smallest eaters.
What parents should do if they have the recalled product
If you find that you have the recalled baby food at home, stop using it immediately. Don’t feed it to your baby, even if it looks and smells normal. Lead contamination isn’t something you can detect with your senses – you can’t see, smell, or taste it. The best thing to do is to return the product to any Target store for a full refund. You don’t even need to have the receipt. Target is making the return process as easy as possible for concerned parents. If you’re not able to get to a store, you can also contact Target’s customer service for assistance.
What if your child has already eaten some of the recalled food? First, try not to panic. The FDA’s classification suggests that this level of contamination is unlikely to cause serious harm. However, it’s still a good idea to speak with your child’s doctor, especially if they’ve eaten multiple servings of the affected product. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to check for lead levels, particularly if your child is showing any unusual symptoms or if they have other potential sources of lead exposure.
How lead affects children
You might be wondering why lead is such a big concern, especially for babies and young children. Lead is particularly harmful to kids because their bodies absorb it more easily than adults do, and their developing brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its effects. Even low levels of lead in the blood can affect a child’s IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. And these effects can be long-lasting or permanent. The younger the child, the more harmful lead can be to their development.
The scary part is that lead exposure often doesn’t cause immediate or obvious symptoms, which means it can go undetected. In some cases, higher exposure might cause symptoms like headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, or tiredness. But most often, the effects happen silently over time. That’s why prevention is so important. The CDC emphasizes that there is no known safe blood lead level in children, and even low levels of lead have been shown to affect learning and behavior. This is also why baby food manufacturers and the FDA are working to reduce lead levels in products made for children.
Recent trends in food recalls due to lead
This Target recall isn’t an isolated incident. In the past year, there have been several concerning cases of lead contamination in foods. One of the most alarming was in late 2023, when applesauce products containing cinnamon were found to have extremely high levels of lead, causing hundreds of cases of lead poisoning in children across the country. The FDA has been increasing its monitoring of certain food ingredients, especially spices like cinnamon, which have been found to sometimes contain elevated lead levels. In fact, multiple ground cinnamon products were recently added to the FDA’s public health alerts due to lead contamination.
What’s being done about this issue? The FDA has been stepping up its testing of food products, particularly those intended for babies and young children. They’re also working with manufacturers to establish stricter limits on heavy metals in baby foods. Some good news is that new upper limits for lead content in baby foods could reduce exposure by 20 to 30 percent. Additionally, the FDA is implementing more controls on imported ingredients and is collaborating with other countries to address the sources of contamination. While these efforts won’t eliminate the problem overnight, they are steps toward making our food supply safer.
Is homemade baby food safer
With all these recalls, you might be wondering if making your own baby food at home is a safer option. The answer isn’t straightforward. On one hand, making baby food at home gives you control over the ingredients and preparation methods. You can choose fresh, high-quality produce and know exactly what’s going into your baby’s meals. Many parents find this reassuring, especially during times when there are multiple food recalls in the news. Plus, homemade baby food often has more variety in textures and flavors, which some experts believe can help develop your baby’s palate.
On the other hand, store-bought baby foods are required to meet FDA safety standards and are regularly tested for contaminants. The ingredients used in commercial baby foods are often tested before they’re even processed. Some studies have found that certain fresh fruits and vegetables can also contain trace amounts of heavy metals, depending on where they’re grown. The key is balance. If you choose to make baby food at home, use a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains from different sources to minimize exposure to any one potential contaminant.
Food recalls can be scary, especially when they involve our children’s food. But they’re also a sign that our food safety systems are working – catching problems before they can cause widespread harm. By staying informed, checking your pantry for recalled items, and taking reasonable precautions with your food choices, you can help keep your family safe. And remember, if you have questions or concerns about lead exposure or any other food safety issue, your child’s pediatrician is always a great resource for guidance specific to your family’s situation.
