FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007

CONTACT

 Lori Maldonado
    Public Information Specialist
    Office: 303-692-2028

Recalled Baby Food May Have Been Available in Colorado Stores and on the Web

DENVER--Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials Tuesday advised parents and caregivers who may be feeding their babies Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food not to use the product because of the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum.  The department warned consumers not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.   

The product is part of a nationwide recall initiated by the manufacturer, Hain Celestial Group, affecting 97,728 4.5-oz. individual jars and 38,298 variety packs with the specified jars of the breakfast product.  The food is part of the firm’s “2nd Vegetables, Fruits and Blends” line intended for babies 6 months and older.  The affected product can be identified by the following information:

Individual Jars

• Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast (4.5-oz. jars) with 23923-20223 (UPC Code) PFGJ14NP on the product lid and an expiration date of EXP 14 SEP 08 A 

Variety Packs

• Earth’s Best Organic 2 Wholesome Breakfast Variety Pack (12 pack) with 23923-20295 (UPC Code), and an expiration date of 13 SEP 08

• Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley (4.5-oz. jars within 12 pack) with 23923-20223 (UPC Code), PF6J14NP on the product lid and an expiration date of EXP 14 SEP 08 A

Susan Parachini, wholesale foods manager of the department’s Consumer Protection Division, advised, “Although it is uncertain whether or not the recalled product was distributed in Colorado, we do know it was distributed nationwide through retail stores as well as being sold through the Earth’s Best Web site.  As a result, we feel it is important to notify Coloradans of the recall.”

She urged consumers who have any of the specified jars in their homes not to use the product and destroy it immediately. 

To date, there haven’t been any cases of illness reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or to the manufacturer, the Hain Celestial Group, in connection with the product.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, usually causes illness within 18-36 hours of exposure.  Initial indication of illness in infants is decreased frequency or absence of stools. Other signs and symptoms noted are poor feeding, weak suck, lethargy, listlessness, weak cry, decreased body tone and diminished overall movement. Difficulty with swallowing may be evident as secretions drooling from the mouth.
Older populations who may be consuming the product as part of a pureed diet might experience symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth and progressive weakness from head to legs. Constipation and urinary retention also are common.

Caregivers or people observing these problems should seek immediate medical attention for those affected.

Consumers may contact the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division at 303-692-3620 for further information.

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