Peanut butter recall extends to 40 states
More than 20,000 Ventura-brand peanut butter products have been recalled in 40 states due to the risk of plastic contamination.
A California-based baby food manufacturer has recalled one of its products due to elevated levels of toxins that can cause nerve damage, fever and more.
The company, IF Copack LLC, or Initiative Foods, recalled Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana Fruit Puree on Friday, February 13 due to patulin levels.
Exposure to naturally occurring substances can cause immunosuppression, nerve damage, headaches, fever, and nausea. However, the company has not received any reports of illness or injury from customers, according to a statement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website.
According to the recall notice, the FDA sampled the baby food using the Total Diet Study Tool, which monitors the levels of nutrients and contaminants in the foods people eat across the United States. Federal authorities were testing the puree and found elevated levels of patulin.
Initiative Foods CEO and President Don Ephgrave said in the recall announcement that the company is working with the FDA “to strengthen the rigorous reviews and safety measures for all of our products.”
“We thank our retail partners and customers for their understanding and quick action on this issue,” Ephgrave said.
The baby food was sold at retail stores across the U.S., except in Alaska, the company said. It may also have been sold in the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.
USA TODAY contacted the food manufacturer on Wednesday, Feb. 18, for a list of stores where the products are sold. The company did not immediately respond.
What is patulin? Why is it dangerous?
Patulin is a natural substance called a “mycotoxin,” or toxin produced by mold. Patulin is produced by a mold that grows inside fruits such as apples.
According to the FDA, mycotoxins such as patulin can also grow on grains, dried beans, dried fruit, and coffee. Eating foods containing high levels of mycotoxins can cause immunosuppression, nerve damage, headaches, fever, and nausea. You can also get sick if you eat animals that have ingested food containing mycotoxins, such as milk from cows that have eaten corn infected with mycotoxins.
“Individual consumers generally have no control over the presence of mycotoxins in their food,” the FDA states. “Mycotoxin-producing fungi typically grow during crop production and storage.”
The agency added that it has a monitoring program in place to ensure that the food people buy is not contaminated with mycotoxins.
How do I know if my baby food has been recalled?
The product was sold in two-pack plastic containers with a product information sleeve on the outside of the container.
The following information is printed on the product:
- UPC – 036800 and 265783
- Lot number – 07174
- Best before (BB) date – July 17, 2026
- Package code identifier – INIA0120036800
The company said customers who own the product should immediately throw it away or return it to a store for a refund. Retailers must check their inventory and shelves and remove recalled products.
For more information about the recall, please call 1-855-215-5730, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
