DOH Alerts Kauai Public to Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits Recall Over Foreign Material

The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch alerted residents in late January 2026 after Gerber Products Company voluntarily recalled limited batches of Gerber® Arrowroot Biscuits over the potential presence of soft plastic and/or paper pieces that “may cause injury or pose a choking hazard.” The material originated with an arrowroot flour supplier, and the recalled 5.5 oz packages were distributed nationwide, including at Walmart, Target and Longs Drugs in Hawai‘i.

The DOH said consumers should verify whether a purchased package is part of the recall by checking the 10-digit batch code printed prior to the best before date on the back of the package. Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported the affected Best Before Date range as Oct. 16, 2026, to Dec. 16, 2026; DOH and Gerber are expected to confirm full lot lists and any additional identifying codes. Representative images released with the alert show the familiar Gerber baby on the packaging.

There have been no reported cases of injury or illness in Hawai‘i to date, the DOH said. Health officials advised, “Consumers should not feed this product to their child and may return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund.” Anyone concerned about a possible injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider or call 911 in an emergency. Consumers may contact Gerber at 1-800-GERBER (1-800-443-7237), a number reported to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for product questions and support.

For Kauai households with infants and keiki, the recall is a practical concern. Many families rely on affordable, shelf-stable baby foods as part of tight household budgets; returning products and arranging refunds can pose time and transportation burdens for caregivers juggling work and child care. The DOH Food and Drug Branch is working with local stores to ensure the recalled product is removed from shelves in Hawai‘i, but shoppers should check home pantries and recent purchases as an added precaution.

The recall also underscores supply chain vulnerabilities that can ripple to local communities when a third-party ingredient triggers a product pull. Expect clearer identification from Gerber or federal recall listings when the full list of 10-digit batch codes and affected UPCs is released. In the meantime, Kauai parents and caregivers should check packs against the batch code and best before dates, avoid giving the biscuits to children, return affected items to the place of purchase, and contact Gerber or DOH with questions. This notice is a timely reminder that food safety lapses, even when no local injuries are reported, require quick action to protect keiki and ease the burden on families.