Gerber Recalls Arrowroot Biscuits Due to Plastic and Paper Contamination

ARLINGTON, Va. (January 27, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Gerber Products Company is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its Arrowroot Biscuits due to the potential presence of small pieces of soft plastic or paper. According to the company, the foreign material originated from an ingredient supplier. This contamination poses a choking hazard to toddlers and infants who consume these products.

Gerber Arrowroot Biscuit Recall: Quick Summary

Gerber, a leader in early childhood nutrition, has issued a nationwide recall for its popular 5.5-ounce Arrowroot Biscuits. The recall affects products produced between July and September 2025, with “Best Before” dates ranging from October to December 2026. The issue was traced back to a supplier of arrowroot flour, who notified Gerber of the contamination. While no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date, caregivers are urged to stop feeding these biscuits to children immediately.

What Happened?

The recall was initiated after Gerber received notification from one of its ingredient suppliers regarding the potential presence of foreign material. Specifically, the arrowroot flour used in the production of certain biscuit batches may have been contaminated with pieces of soft plastic or paper.

Upon discovery, Gerber moved to isolate the affected products and ceased its relationship with the implicated flour supplier. The recall is limited to the specific batches listed below, which were distributed nationwide in the United States and Canada.

Affected Products

The recall applies to Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits in 5.5-ounce packages. Consumers should check the back of the packaging for the following Batch Codes and associated Best Before dates:

Batch Code	Best Before Date
5198565504	Oct. 16, 2026
5202565504	Oct. 20, 2026
5203565504	Oct. 21, 2026
5204565504	Oct. 22, 2026
5205565504	Oct. 23, 2026
5209565504	Oct. 27, 2026
5210565504	Oct. 28, 2026
5211565504	Oct. 29, 2026
5233565504	Nov. 20, 2026
5238565504	Nov. 25, 2026
5239565504	Nov. 26, 2026
5239565505	Nov. 26, 2026
5240565505	Nov. 27, 2026
5245565505	Dec. 2, 2026
5246565505	Dec. 3, 2026
5251565505	Dec. 8, 2026
5252565505	Dec. 9, 2026
5253565505	Dec. 10, 2026
5254565505	Dec. 11, 2026
5258565505	Dec. 15, 2026
5259565505	Dec. 16, 2026

What Caused the Issue?

The root cause was identified as a failure at the supplier level. The arrowroot flour provided to Gerber contained the foreign material contaminants. Foreign object contamination in flour can occur during milling or packaging processes, where bags or liners (paper/plastic) may degrade or tear, entering the product stream. Gerber has stated they are no longer working with this specific flour supplier.

Questions You Might Have

1. Has any child been injured? No. As of January 26, 2026, no illnesses or injuries have been reported.
2. What if my child already ate these? If your child has consumed the product and appears fine, there is likely no immediate danger. However, monitor for any signs of distress and consult a pediatrician if concerned.
3. Are other Gerber snacks affected? No. This recall is isolated to specific batches of 5.5-ounce Arrowroot Biscuits.
4. Can I throw it away and get a refund? Yes, you can dispose of the product. Contact Gerber directly for reimbursement.
5. Where were these sold? They were sold at major retailers nationwide across the U.S. and Canada.
6. How do I find the code? Look on the back of the bag for the manufacturing details.
7. What kind of plastic is it? The notice describes it as “soft plastic,” likely from packaging liners or similar materials.
8. Is this a bacterial issue? No, this is strictly a physical contamination issue (foreign objects).
9. Who is the manufacturer? Gerber Products Company.
10. Who can I contact? You can contact Gerber’s Parents Resource Center at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237) for assistance.

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check the pantry: Look for Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits, specifically the 5.5 oz size.
• Verify the batch: Compare the code on the back of your package with the table above.
• Stop feeding: If the codes match, do not give the biscuits to your child.
• Contact Gerber: Reach out to the company for a refund or replacement voucher.

Behind the Brand

Gerber is perhaps the most recognized name in baby food, with a history dating back to 1927. While the brand is synonymous with trust for many parents, this incident highlights that even major manufacturers are vulnerable to supply chain failures. The swift action to terminate the supplier relationship underscores the zero-tolerance policy required when manufacturing food for infants.

Other Relevant Recalls

This recall follows other recent safety alerts involving physical and chemical contaminants in the food supply. Olympia Provisions recently recalled its Kielbasa due to metal contamination, a similar foreign object hazard. Additionally, IKM issued a recall for metal cookware due to lead risks, highlighting that safety hazards can arise from both the food itself and the tools used to prepare it.

In a related safety reminder for parents, Gerber has also reissued a warning for its Soothe ‘n’ Chew Teething Sticks due to a choking hazard. While the current biscuit recall involves foreign material contamination, the teething stick alert focuses on the product’s physical structure, which can break into large pieces unsafe for infants. For more details on this reissued warning, read our full report: Recall Reminder: Gerber Reissues Warning on Soothe ‘n’ Chew Teething Sticks.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, noted:

“When it comes to infant safety, there is zero margin for error. Whether it’s a breakdown in the supply chain introducing foreign objects like plastic, or a product design that poses an inherent choking risk, manufacturers must act with absolute speed and transparency. Parents rely on these brands implicitly, and any breach of that trust requires immediate corrective action.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Foreign object contamination—whether plastic, metal, or glass—is a persistent challenge in food manufacturing. For parents, the best defense is to always inspect food before serving it to small children, breaking up biscuits or snacks to check for hard or sharp irregularities. While recalls like this are frightening, they also demonstrate that safety monitoring systems (like supplier notifications) are working to catch issues before they cause widespread harm.

For more information or to report a concern about a food product, you can visit our contact page at https://source86.com/contact/.