Photo: Wiktory / iStock / Getty Images
Over 25,000 containers of baby food sold exclusively at Target have been urgently recalled due to lead contamination. The affected product is the Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Purée, which comes in four-ounce containers. This recall involves two specific batches: Lot Number 4169 with a Best by date of December 9, 2025, and Lot Number 4167 with a Best by date of December 7, 2025.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially alerted consumers to the elevated lead levels in March. The alert has now been upgraded to a Class II recall, indicating that consuming this baby food could cause temporary health issues, including potential damage to the brain and other organs. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body, posing significant risks to young children due to their developing systems.
Dr. Sana Mujahid from Consumer Reports emphasized that there is no safe level of lead exposure for babies, as it can lead to neurological damage, lower IQs, and developmental delays.
Target has advised customers to discard the affected baby food and offers a full refund. Consumers can contact Target's Guest Relations at 800-440-0680 for assistance. Parents who suspect their child may have consumed the recalled product should consult their pediatrician for lead testing.
The FDA requires baby food to have lead levels below 10 parts per billion (ppb). However, even low levels of lead exposure can cause irreversible harm.