Once Upon a Farm is recalling its Tractor Wheels soft-baked toddler bars nationwide after receiving three consumer complaints about a potential choking hazard.
In an advisory updated October 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had received several reports of toddlers suffering complete airway obstruction and being unable to breathe after eating the bars. Some reported incidents required emergency response and hospital observation, the agency said.
The FDA said the chewed product reportedly forms a dry, sticky mass that standard choking interventions, including back blows and the Heimlich maneuver, may fail to dislodge.
The voluntary recall covers all Tractor Wheels flavors, the company said in a release issued late Friday. The company identified the risk as a potential choking hazard for toddlers ages 18 months to 2 1/2 years.
The affected flavors are Apple, Sweet Potato & Spinach; Strawberry, Pumpkin & Beet; and Banana, Pumpkin & Cauliflower.
Tractor Wheels were distributed nationwide online and through distribution centers and retail stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico, according to the announcement. No other Once Upon a Farm products are affected.
The FDA advises consumers not to buy or serve the bars and to immediately throw them away. Its advice covers all flavors, quantities and varieties, including all lot codes and expiration dates. Retailers should not sell them.
The agency named Costco, Target and Walmart among stores selling the product nationwide and said it may also be sold through Amazon and other third-party vendors.
The company says buyers can seek a full refund through their retailer or contact care@uponafarm.com.
The company’s recall FAQ confirms that all Tractor Wheels are included and provides refund information. It says customers can seek a refund through their retailer or the company’s customer-care team.
Once Upon a Farm said it is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove affected products and provide information to families. The company attributed its decision to three consumer complaints; its announcement did not describe the complaints as reported injuries.
The release’s title also refers to reformulation, but the announcement does not give details of a replacement product or a timetable for its return.
JBizNews Health Desk | Berkeley, Calif.
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