Popular fruit and vegetable baby food pouches sold at Walgreens and other independent stores across the United States are being recalled over lead concerns.
Last week, Sprout Organics issued a voluntary recall of one lot of its sweet potato, apple and spinach baby food pouches because “it may contain elevated levels of lead,” according to a company announcement posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website on Sept. 16.
On Sept. 23, the company expanded its recall to include three additional lots of the baby food pouches. Now, four lots in total have been recalled, with expiration dates ranging from Oct. 29, 2025, to Feb. 4, 2026.
The recalled sweet potato, apple and spinach pouches were sold online, in Walgreens stores, and at independent retailers in at least 27 states, per the FDA.
Sprout Organics manufactures a variety of organic pouches, snacks and meals for babies and toddlers, according to its website.
Why were Sprout Organics pouches recalled?
Sprout Organics initiated the voluntary recall after routine sampling of its products found that certain lots of its baby food pouches may contain high levels of lead.
No illnesses have been reported to date, the company said.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that’s naturally occurring in the earth’s soil and gets absorbed by plants as they grow. Lead is toxic to humans, and there is “no safe level” of exposure.
Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can increase blood lead levels. The effects of lead depend upon a person’s age, weight and the amount and duration of exposure, the FDA said.
In children, lead exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time, this can affect learning and development or cause other long-term health problems,” the FDA said.
Even low levels of lead in blood can negatively affect a child’s health, per the CDC.
Which baby food pouches were recalled?
Sprout Organic has recalled the following products:
“Sprout Organics SweetPotato Apple and Spinach” 3.5 oz. pouch
Lot code: 4212 | Expiration date: Oct. 29, 2025
Lot code: 4213 | Expiration date: Oct. 30, 2025
Lot code: 4282 | Expiration date: Dec. 4, 2025
Lot code: 4310 | Expiration date: Feb. 4, 2026
The lots of recalled baby food pouches were sold in Walgreens stores nationwide and at independent retailers in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The affected pouches were also sold online, the company said.
Sprout Organics noted that the recalled products were not sold at any other major retailer in the U.S. besides Walgreens. No other Sprout Organics products were impacted by the recall.
This is the third recall of baby food pouches due to lead concerns in recent months.
In May, Publix issued a recall for GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches sold in stores in eight states due to potential lead contamination, TODAY.com previously reported. This April, Target recalled Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree because of elevated lead levels.
What to do if you bought affected products
If you purchased Sprout Organics sweet potato, apple and spinach baby food pouches that fit the description of recalled products, check the lot number and expiration date.
These can be located on the back of the pouch, printed on the very bottom strip under the nutrition information, per the FDA.
If these match the products listed in the recall, return the product to the store for a full refund.
Sprout Organics did not immediately respond to TODAY.com’s request for comment.
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