Food recalls can be quite serious, particularly when it affects baby food. That is why parents should be aware that Beech-Nut has issued a recall on their Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal because of high arsenic levels.
Beech-Nut shared a statement in the recall explaining that their cereal had ended up testing above the levels deemed safe by the FDA.
There are often small levels of arsenic that naturally occur and can be found in food, water, or soil, but the FDA will usually regulate the levels to make sure that they’re still safe to consume – especially in baby food as dangerously high levels have the potential to cause neuro-developmental defects.
If you’re a parent who has a package of Beech-Nut rice cereal at home, then you want to be sure if it hasn’t been affected by checking the UPC code on the bottom.
The recalled packets are labeled 52200034705 with a May 1, 2022 expiration. Also, be on the lookout for any product codes that begin with 103470 or 093470, as they’re also part of the recall.
The recalled cereal has been sold in stores across the country, as well as online. Because of the recall, parents are being encouraged to check their cupboards and throw out any recalled products.
So far, there have been no reports of illness because of the recalled cereal. In addition, there haven’t been any other of their cereal products affected by the recall either.
Still, Beech-Nut made the announcement with the recall that they plan to discontinue the rice cereal altogether, citing concerns about being able to “consistently obtain rice flour well-below the FDA guidance level and Beech-Nut specifications for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic.”
If you happen to have one of the recalled products in your pantry, you can get in touch with Beech-Nut for either a replacement or a refund. Just contact them either on their website at www.beechnut.com/ricecereal, or by calling 1-866-272-9417.