Description: Rumor
Circulating since: July 2011
Status: False (see details below)
Example #1:
As posted via Twitter, Nov. 14, 2012:
NEWBORNS!!! URGENT!!! For all parents, Nestle is asking for everyone to return all GERBER BANANA BABY FOOD expiring 2012 because they may contain glass. Please copy and paste for all babies safety. Batch code 7613033089 73, even if you're not a parent please copy you could save a baby's life,, Thanks
Example #2:
As posted on Facebook, Dec. 7, 2011:
FOR ALL PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Nestle is asking for everyone to return all GERBER BANANA BABY FOOD expiring 2012 because they may contain glass. Please copy and paste for all babies safety. Batch code 761303308973, even if you're not a parent please copy
Example #3:
As posted on Facebook, Dec. 5, 2011:
URGENT!!! For all parents, Nestle is asking for everyone to return all GERBER BANANA BABY FOOD expiring 2012 because they may contain glass. Please copy and paste for all babies safety. Batch code 7613033089 73, even if you're not a parent please copy you could save a baby's life!!!!!!
Analysis: This rumor is false but there's a wee smidgen of truth underlying it, namely that in July 2011 the Nestlé company recalled one batch of baby food made and sold only in France because a consumer in that country reported finding glass in a jar of Nestlé P’tit Pot Recette Banana.
The announcement didn't pertain to any products manufactured or sold in the U.S. (or any other countries apart from France). Moreover, an investigation found that the defective jar was an isolated incident.
Despite all this, false rumors immediately began circulating to the effect that all banana baby food sold in the U.S. under the Gerber brand was being recalled.
Gerber issued the following statement:
NO RECALL OF GERBER PRODUCTS
There have been some inaccurate reports of a Gerber recall. There is NO RECALL in effect for any Gerber products sold in the US. All Gerber products are safe to consume.
While, as a precautionary measure, there was a voluntary limited product recall for Nestlé P’tit Pot Recette Banana baby food in France last week, there is no recall in effect for any Gerber products sold in the US.
Consumers who have questions may contact our Parents Resource Center at 1-800-327-9933.
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Sources and further reading:
'Glass in Baby Food' Warning a Hoax
Daily Telegraph, 14 November 2012Gerber Statement: No Recall of Gerber Products
Gerber company websiteRecall of Nestlé P’tit Pot Recette Banana Baby Food in France
Nestlé company website
Last updated 11/14/12
