Baby Food Patulin Lawsuit Attorneys

Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana Baby Food Patulin Contamination, Health Risks, and How Families Can Pursue a Lawsuit

Parents expect baby food to be safe, consistent, and carefully produced. When federal testing identifies contamination in products for infants and toddlers, families need clear information about the incident, potential risks, and recommended next steps.

In February 2026, IF Copack LLC d.b.a. Initiative Foods announced a recall of one lot of “Tippy Toes” Apple Pear Banana fruit puree after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified elevated levels of patulin, a naturally occurring mold-related toxin that can form in certain fruits, including apples. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

The FDA’s involvement and concerns about long-term exposure raise important questions for families who have purchased or used the product.

We will now explain what patulin is, which product is affected, where it was sold, the significance of the FDA’s Total Diet Study, recommended actions for parents, and potential legal options if a child was harmed by contaminated baby food.

What Parker Waichman LLP Found

Based on the FDA-posted recall announcement, key points families should know include:

• The recall targets one specific lot of Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana puree: Lot 07174, BB 07/17/2026, package code INIA0120.
• The FDA notice states the product was distributed nationwide (all states except Alaska), with possible distribution in Guam and Puerto Rico.
• The recall was linked to elevated patulin levels identified through the FDA’s Total Diet Study, and it was conducted based on FDA’s recommendation.
• The recall notice warns that long-term exposure to patulin can be associated with adverse health effects, even though no illnesses were reported at the time of the announcement.
• Families who incurred medical costs or whose children experienced symptoms after consuming recalled baby food may want to preserve packaging and records while exploring potential legal claims.

What Was Recalled and Why the FDA Says It Matters

The recall involves one lot of:

• Brand: Tippy Toes
• Product: Apple Pear Banana Fruit Puree
• Packaging: 2-pack plastic tubs with a product information sleeve
• Lot Number: 07174
• Best By Date: BB 07/17/2026
• Package Code Identifier: INIA0120

The FDA states the recall was issued due to elevated levels of patulin found in a sample collected through the agency’s Total Diet Study, and that the recall was conducted based on FDA’s recommendation.

Even without confirmed injuries, a recall involving mycotoxin exposure can have serious implications. Parents may question whether their child consumed the product, how frequently, and if they should consult a pediatrician about symptoms or monitoring. These concerns are especially valid for families with young children or those with underlying health conditions.

What Is Patulin and How Can It Get into Baby Food?

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by certain molds that can grow on fruit, particularly apples and other produce used in purees. Patulin contamination is often associated with fruit that has been damaged or improperly stored before processing, because mold growth can occur under those conditions.

Patulin cannot be reliably seen, smelled, or tasted in finished puree, making testing and quality controls essential. Baby food is marketed as safe for developing children, and parents expect manufacturing controls to detect issues before products reach stores.

The FDA-posted recall notice highlights a key point: the elevated patulin level was discovered through federal sampling, not through a consumer complaint. For parents, that can raise a different set of questions about how long the product was on the market, how broadly it was distributed, and whether manufacturing and supplier oversight were sufficient.

Potential Health Risks: What the Recall Notice Says About Exposure

The FDA-posted company announcement warns that long-term exposure to patulin “can lead to various adverse health consequences,” including:

• Potential immune suppression
• Nerve damage
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Parents should keep perspective: the recall notice is not saying every child who ate the puree will become ill. But it is saying that elevated patulin levels are a legitimate safety concern, and that the product should not be consumed.

If a child has ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, unusual fatigue, or other concerning issues after consuming a recalled food, families should seek medical guidance. From a legal standpoint, medical records and documented symptoms can be important if a family later needs to show a connection between exposure and harm.

Where the Recalled Product Was Sold and Who May Be Affected

According to the FDA notice, the recalled lot was distributed in retail grocery stores in all U.S. states other than Alaska, and it may also have been distributed in Guam and Puerto Rico.

That footprint matters because it suggests a broad potential pool of affected consumers. Families may have purchased the product at local grocery chains, regional retailers, or smaller stores that stock nationally distributed baby foods. It also means parents should not assume a recall is “limited to one area” simply because the company is based in a particular state.

How Parents Can Identify the Recalled Lot at Home

If you have Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana puree in your pantry, refrigerator, or diaper bag, the FDA notice says to check:

• The bottom of each plastic tub for the “Best By” date
• The lot number and package code on the packaging

Key identifiers for the recalled product include:

• Lot # 07174
• BB 07/17/2026
• INIA0120

If your product matches those identifiers, treat it as recalled even if it looks and smells normal.

What the FDA and Company Recommend Consumers Do Now

The FDA-posted recall instructions advise consumers to:

• Stop using the product immediately
• Dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund
• Contact a healthcare provider if concerns arise after consumption

Retailers are also advised to remove the affected lot from shelves and inventory.

For families, it can be helpful to take a quick photo of the lot number, Best By date, and packaging code before disposing of the product. If later questions arise, those photos can help document exposure.

Why Recalls Like This Can Lead to Lawsuits

A recall can raise liability questions even when no injuries are reported at the time of the announcement. Product-liability and consumer-protection cases often focus on issues such as:

• Whether the product was unreasonably unsafe for its intended users (infants and young children)
• Whether the company’s quality controls and supplier oversight were adequate
• Whether contamination was preventable
• Whether the product was distributed widely before detection
• Whether families incurred medical expenses, lost time, or other damages after exposure concerns

Every case depends on specific facts, including medical outcomes and documentation. But when a baby food product is recalled due to elevated toxins, parents may reasonably explore whether they have legal rights, especially if a child became ill or required medical evaluation.

Tippy Toes Patulin Lawsuit FAQs

What is the Tippy Toes baby food recall about?
The recall involves one lot of Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana fruit puree after elevated levels of patulin were found in an FDA-collected sample. Patulin is a mold-related toxin that can occur in certain fruits.

Which product details should I check?
Check for Lot 07174, Best By “BB 07/17/2026,” and package code INIA0120 on the product packaging and the bottom of the tubs.

My child ate the product. What should I do?
Stop using the product and contact a healthcare provider if you have health concerns. Keep any remaining packaging, take photos of identifiers, and write down when the product was consumed and any symptoms observed.

Do I have a case if my child did not get sick?
Not every recall results in a viable injury lawsuit. Many cases depend on documented harm such as illness, medical treatment, or measurable losses. Still, families may want to document exposure and watch for developments, especially when a recall involves toxins.

What kinds of claims can be brought in a contaminated food case?
Depending on the facts and state law, claims may involve product liability, negligence, failure to warn, breach of implied warranty, and in some situations consumer-protection theories. The evidence typically includes product identifiers, purchase history, medical records, and proof of damages.

What damages might be available if a child was harmed?
Potential compensation can include medical expenses, follow-up care costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and in appropriate cases damages for pain and suffering. The availability and scope of damages depend on the child’s medical outcome and applicable state law.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Time limits vary by state and may depend on when harm occurred or was discovered. Parents should act promptly to preserve rights and evidence.

What evidence should I keep?
If possible, keep the product packaging, tubs, receipts, photos of lot and date codes, and any medical records or discharge paperwork. If the product was disposed of, photos and purchase records can still be helpful.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If you purchased the recalled Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana puree and your child experienced symptoms, required medical care, or you have concerns about exposure, you may have legal rights.

Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm investigating contaminated food and consumer product cases. We offer free consultations and can help families understand whether they may be eligible to pursue monetary compensation.

Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for a free, confidential case review. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.