In a recent health alert, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) and its Food and Drug Branch (FDB) are grabbing the attention of parents and caregivers regarding a recall on Gerber Products Company's Arrowroot Biscuits. The recall was sparked by the potential risk that these biscuits could contain foreign materials such as soft plastic or paper, posing a choking hazard. According to the DOH announcement, the issue was traced back to an arrowroot flour supplier, which prompted the recall.
Families around the nation, and particularly in Hawai‘i through retailers like Walmart, Target, and Longs Drugs, may have brought these potentially hazardous snacks into their homes. As part of the recall, the FDB is coordinating with local stores to pull the impacted batches off the shelves while parents are urged to check their pantries. Located on the back of the product's packaging, the 10-digit batch code next to the best before date is the key to identifying whether the product in your possession is from a recalled batch.
The comforting news is that there have been no injuries or illnesses reported in Hawai‘i in connection with the recall. For those consumers who have the recalled Gerber® Arrowroot Biscuits, the FDB advises against feeding these to children and recommends returning them to the place of purchase for a full refund. "Consumers should not feed this product to their child and may return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund," the department stated. Concerned parents or any individual suspecting an injury or illness due to the product should seek medical advice and immediately dial 911 for emergencies.
For additional support and information about the product, consumers are encouraged to contact Gerber directly. Gerber offers a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-GERBER (1-800-443-7237) for any consumer queries. More details about the recall, including images of the recalled product, can be found on the DOH's official newsroom page, and consumers are encouraged to consult this resource as well.
