The FDA has issued an urgent warning as Once Upon a Farm pulls its Tractor Wheels soft‑baked bars from shelves after multiple choking reports.
Key points
- The FDA has warned that Once Upon a Farm’s Tractor Wheels soft‑baked bars pose a choking risk for toddlers.
- All versions of the product are being recalled; consumers should discard any bars they own.
- The recall triggered a sharp drop in the company’s stock price, highlighting market sensitivity to food‑safety issues.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers on Oct. 30 not to buy or serve Once Upon a Farm’s Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft‑Baked Bars, citing a potentially fatal choking hazard, according to a notice posted on the agency’s website.
The FDA’s advisory notes that several reports describe toddlers experiencing complete airway obstruction after chewing the bars, with some cases requiring emergency response and hospital observation. The product can form a dry, sticky mass that may not be dislodged even with the Heimlich maneuver.
FDA warning and reported incidents
Once Upon a Farm, co‑founded by actress Jennifer Garner, announced a voluntary recall of the snack on Friday. CEO John Foraker said the company is working with the FDA to remove affected products and is reformulating the line to meet higher safety standards. All flavors, lot codes and expiration dates are included in the recall, and consumers are instructed to discard any bars they have on hand.
Founded in 2015 by Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz, the Berkeley‑based organic baby‑food maker went public earlier this year with a valuation of $724 million. Following the recall announcement, the company’s stock fell about 37 %, as reported by Barron’s.
Company response and recall details
Parents who have purchased the bars should immediately throw them away and contact the company for a refund or further guidance. Additional information about the recall is available on the FDA’s website and Once Upon a Farm’s official site (source: www.sfgate.com).
Reader questions
Which product is being recalled?
Once Upon a Farm’s Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft‑Baked Bars, in all flavors, lot codes and expiration dates.
What should consumers do with the recalled bars?
Consumers should immediately throw away the bars and may contact the company for a refund or further instructions.
Source: sfgate.com
