Target Baby Food Recall Issued Over High Lead Levels in “Good & Gather” Products

Recall comes amid continuing concerns about the effects of heavy metals in baby food products sold nationwide, which have been linked to the development of ADHD and autism among children.

More than 25,000 units of baby food sold at Target were recalled last month, after high levels of the toxic heavy metal lead was detected, which could pose a serious long-term health risk for children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the Good & Gather baby food recall last month. However, no press release was immediately issued, because it was classified as a Class II recall, and media reports about the problems have just begun to circulate.  

While this designation suggests that there is a lower likelihood of serious health consequences from consuming the baby food, the announcement raises serious concerns following evidence that emerged in recent years about the widespread contamination of baby food with toxic metals.

Lead exposure for children can lead to permanent brain damage and other severe, long-term health consequences, since their brains are still developing..

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there is no safe lead exposure level for children. Any exposure can increase the risk of developing injuries to the nervous system and brain. It can also cause seizures, convulsions, mental retardation, delayed growth, obesity, coma and even death.

The recall affects 25,600 units of Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree, sold in four-ounce units with Lot Numbers 4169 and 4167, and “Best by” dates of Dec 07 2025 and Dec 09 2025. The products were manufactured by Fruselva USA and sold exclusively at Target.

Target has indicated that consumers should return the affected products to a Target store for a refund. For more information, consumers can contact Target Guest Relations at 1-800-444-0680.

Toxic Heavy Metals in Baby Food

Toxic heavy metals such as lead and arsenic have been found to be extremely detrimental for children who consume them, potentially heightening the risks of many serious developmental disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as other cognitive and behavioral issues that can affect a child’s development and later long-term health.

Issues with high levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in baby food first emerged in February 2021, following the release of a U.S. House Oversight Committee report based on internal data provided by major baby food companies, including Beech-Nut, Gerber, Hain and Nurture, Inc., which revealed toxic metals to be in the companies’ ingredients and finished products.

The government report raised alarms among many health experts, with most popular baby food manufacturers reporting that they only periodically test their ingredients for quality control, but never actually test the final products for heavy metal concentrations before putting them on store shelves.

In the aftermath of the report’s findings, Gerber, Nurture, Beech-Nut and the makers of other widely used baby food brands now face at least 135 toxic baby food lawsuits brought by families throughout the United States, each raising similar allegations that children developed life-long disabilities like autism and ADHD due to high levels of toxic heavy metals contained in their baby foods.

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has established a toxic baby food lawsuit MDL, centralizing the claims before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in the Northern District of California for coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings. In addition to the federal litigation, there are also a number of baby food toxic metal lawsuits pending in California state court, where it is expected that the first trial may begin sometime this year.

While the outcome of that trial will not have any binding impact on other claims, it will be closely watched as any jury payout awarded may influence how much the manufacturers need to pay in autism or ADHD settlements to resolve the litigation.