2021 Rice Cereal Voluntary Recall
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company Issues a Voluntary Recall of One Lot of Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal and Also Decides to Exit the Rice Cereal Segment
6/8/21
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. - Beech-Nut Nutrition today has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal. This recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the State of Alaska which found that samples from that production lot of Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal tested above the guidance level for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic set by the FDA in August 2020, though the rice flour used had been tested and confirmed as being below the FDA guidance level for inorganic arsenic.
The FDA has recognized that trace elements such as these are widely present in the environment, including water, soil and food; and has also stated that exposure to elevated levels of naturally occurring inorganic arsenic can pose a health hazard to young children.
The specific Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice item (UPC Code# 52200034705) being recalled has an expiration date of 01MAY2022 and product codes: 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX. The expiration date and product numbers can be found at the bottom of the Beech-Nut Single Rice Cereal canister. These specific product codes were distributed nationally through retail and online.
In addition to issuing the voluntary recall, Beech-Nut has also decided to exit the market for Beech-Nut branded Single Grain Rice Cereal. Beech-Nut is concerned about the ability to consistently obtain rice flour well-below the FDA guidance level and Beech-Nut specifications for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic.
"The safety of infants and children is Beech-Nut's top priority. We are issuing this voluntary recall, because we learned through routine sampling by the State of Alaska that a limited quantity of Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal products had levels of naturally-occurring inorganic arsenic above the FDA guidance level, even though the rice flour used to produce these products tested below the FDA guidance level for inorganic arsenic," said Jason Jacobs, Vice President, Food Safety and Quality.
No illnesses related to these product codes have been reported to date, and no other production dates or Beech-Nut products are affected by this recall.
Consumers who may have purchased Beech-Nut Rice Cereal with product codes: 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX with expiration of 01MAY2022 should discard the product. They can also go to www.beechnut.com/ricecereal, or call 1-866-272-9417, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for further information on obtaining an exchange or refund.
About Beech-Nut® Nutrition Company: Amsterdam, New York-based Beech-Nut® Nutrition is one of America’s leading companies providing safe, nutritious food for babies and toddlers. Founded in Canajoharie in 1891, Beech-Nut® has been making baby food since 1931 and in fact was the first brand to use the vacuum-sealed glass jar that’s now the safety standard in the industry. Beech-Nut® sells a wide variety of natural, organic, and non-GMO fruit and veggie purees, cereals, and snacks, and the brand won the 2015 Product of the Year in the baby food category by the Consumer Survey of Product Innovation USA. Beech-Nut Nutrition is owned by the Hero Group, a private consumer goods conglomerate based in Lenzburg, Switzerland.