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Plum Organics Recalls Baby Food Due To Bacteria

Contamination may cause botulism

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

October 20, 2009

Plum Organics announced today that it is recalling one batch of its baby food because the products may be tainted with a bacteria that causes botulism.

The Emeryville, California, company voluntarily pulled off the market all its Apple & Carrot Baby Food in Portable Pouches with the best by date of May 21, 2010 and universal product code (UPC) of #890180001221.

The company sold the baby food nationwide at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores.

"The product did not meet the FDA guidelines for proper acidity level," Dr. Paul Gerhardt, a Food Science Ph.D. and member of the Plum Organics action team, said in a statement released today. "Though the risk of illness from this one batch is minimal, Plum Organics is taking the extraordinary step of recalling all Apple & Carrot Baby Food Pouches with 'Best by date May 21, 2010.'"

The company's founder, Gigi Lee Chang, blamed the problem on a mixing error during production.

"I wanted to let you know that, today, Plum Organics voluntarily recalled a small portion of our Apple & Carrot Baby Food in Portable Pouches after a routine test determined the formulation was incorrect," Chang wrote in a statement on the company's Web site. "Plum Organics immediately investigated the matter and confirmed that a mixing error was to blame which resulted in an improper blend of carrots and apples, which caused the baby food to be improperly blended."

"Please accept my deepest apologies for this inconvenience," Chang added.

Plum Organics said it has not received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled baby food.

"We conducted extensive testing of samples of every Plum Organic product manufactured before and after this batch and all samples were found to be within the standard guidelines," Chang said.

Plum Organics called the recall a "precaution" and said it took this action because of the possible risk of botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. Symptoms of botulism poisoning include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble speaking or swallowing. People with those problems should immediately contact their doctor.

Consumers should not to use the recalled products because of the possible health risks, the company said.

Customers can the returned the recalled baby food for a full refund at any Toys-R-Us or Babies R Us store.

For more information, contact Plum Organics at 888-974-3555 or email the company at info@plumorganics.com.

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