Publix recalls baby food pouches over potential lead contamination

Publix, a national supermarket chain, is voluntarily recalling baby food that could be contaminated with lead, the company announced this week.

Publix, a national supermarket chain, is voluntarily recalling baby food that could be contaminated with lead, the company announced this week.  

The company said it discovered the problem through routine testing and has pulled its GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches from its shelves, according to a news release, which said there were “no reported cases of illness” related to the product. 

It’s the second recall of baby food for potential lead contamination in recent weeks — and in both cases, the Food and Drug Administration didn’t issue its own news release to warn the public, which safety experts and advocates said surprised them.   

The FDA did not explain why it hadn’t issued a news release for the Publix recall or Target’s voluntary recall in March of its Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable baby food puree. In that case, the FDA posted details about the recall in the agency’s public recall-monitoring database. 

“The FDA is committed to ensuring that all necessary information regarding product recalls is promptly communicated to protect public health,” the agency said in a statement.