Gerber Products Co. is recalling and discontinuing its Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks over a potential choking hazard that sent at least one tot to a hospital emergency room, the company said.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are among the states where the items were sold both online and in stores.
The recall applies to all batches of the sticks “due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children,” the company said in a press release Saturday. “The recall was initiated after receiving consumer complaints of choking incidents. To date, one emergency room visit has been reported.”
The hollow tubes are just the right diameter for a baby to clench a fist around, and come in strawberry-apple and banana flavors.
Gerber directed anyone who bought the sticks to return them for a refund.
“We are working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall and will cooperate with them fully,” Gerber said. “We sincerely apologize for any concern or inconvenience this action represents to parents, caregivers and retail customers.”
Gerber introduced the product in August 2020 to cater to parents and guardians seeking “alternative teething solutions that don’t necessarily include plastic or medicine,” the company said in a statement at the time. The grain-based teether would massage babies’ gums “with real food as they chew,” Gerber said.
“We optimized the shape and length of Soothe ‘n’ Chew for babies starting at 6 months since they typically begin grabbing things with the entire fist at this age,” said the company’s principal scientist said at the time. “Our goal was to introduce a long-lasting, edible product that can serve as baby’s first teething snack, as opposed to a toy or medical treatment.”
With News Wire Services
