Plum Organics halts Little Crèmes production after choking reports

The organic baby food specialist issued a US-wide voluntary recall on the three varieties of its Little Crèmes​ last week – Super Purples, Super Reds and Super Greens. The recall came after choking hazard concerns were raised by consumers and some reports of injury issued.

Campbell had since halted production of the Little Crèmes line, said Anna Burr, director of communications for Pepperidge Farm and global baking and snacking at Campbell Soup Company.

“At this stage, we are not planning to continue to make ​Little Crèmes,”​ she told BakeryandSnacks.com.

No details were given as to how long the production halt would last for.

Product subjected to ‘rigorous’ consumer and safety testing​

In its FDA-issued recall, Plum Organics explained how the rice milk snacks had been designed to soften in a child’s mouth in less than 20 seconds. However, it said some pieces were found to take significantly longer than this, “creating a potential choking hazard, particularly for babies and very young children”.​

Plum Organics said the products should not be consumed and disposed of immediately.

Burr said the company had received “a handful of calls from parents whose children had difficulty swallowing the snacks”.​

Asked if the snacks were sufficiently tested before launching onto the market, she said: “The product was subjected to rigorous consumer and safety testing before it was launched.”​

However, she said the company was “conducting a thorough investigation into how this could have happened”.​

Plum Organics under Campbell Soup ​

Plum Organics makes a range of fruit-based products for babies, tots and kids, including yogurt and fruit pouches, puffed snacks, nutrition bars and shakes.

Campbell Soup acquired Plum Organics in May 2013.​