Parent's Choice Rice Baby Cereal - recalled due to above the guidance arsenic

United States

Maple Island Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of three lots of its Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal that it manufactures for Walmart. This recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the FDA which found that a sample from three production lots of Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal tested above the guidance for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. This product was distributed nationally through Walmart’s stores and online. No illnesses related to the product lots have been reported to date.

Maple Island Inc. is voluntarily recalling this product with the knowledge of the FDA. Walmart was advised and has pulled the product from its store shelves and put a register block on the product at its stores and online to prevent any further sales. The specific Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal 8 oz lots being recalled were sold after April 5, 2021, and include:

- Lot 21083 with UPC Code #00681131082907 with a best if used by date of JUN 24 2022
- Lot 21084 with UPC Code #00681131082907 with a best if used by date of JUN 25 2022
- Lot 21242 with UPC Code #00681131082907 with a best if used by date of NOV 30 2022

The best if used by date and product numbers can be found in the bottom left corner on the back of the Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal packaging.

Customers who may have purchased Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal at Walmart with Lot Number 21083/UPC Code #00681131082907 and best if used by date of JUN 24 2022, Lot Number 21084/UPC Code #00681131082907 and best if used by date of JUN 25 2022, or Lot 21242 with UPC Code #00681131082907 with a best if used by date of NOV 30 2022 should discard the product or return it to Walmart for a full refund.

No other production lots or Parent’s Choice products are affected by this recall. Maple Island Inc. conducted testing on both the raw material and finished product in question. While the test results were in compliance with the FDA’s guidelines, Maple Island Inc. is issuing this recall out of an abundance of caution.

FDA has recognized that trace elements such as these are widely present in the environment, including water, soil, and food. The FDA also noted that research has shown reducing exposure to toxic elements is important to minimizing any potential long-term effects on the developing brains of infants and children.

Company name: Maple Island Inc.
Brand name: Parent’s Choice
Product recalled: Rice Baby Cereal
Reason of the recall: Tested above the guidance for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic.
FDA Recall date: October 08, 2021

Check the full recall details on www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maple-island-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-three-lots-parents-choice-rice-baby-cereal

Source: FDA