Tippy Toes Baby Food Patulin Lawsuit Lawyers

What Parents Should Know About Patulin Exposure, the Nationwide Recall Details, Possible Health Risks, and Legal Options for Families

A recent baby food recall has raised serious concerns for parents and caregivers across the country. Initiative Foods announced a recall of one lot of its Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana fruit puree after testing found elevated levels of patulin, a mold-related toxin that can contaminate certain fruits when they begin to rot.

While no illnesses or injuries have been reported at this time, the issue is important because baby food is consumed by infants and toddlers, a group that may be more vulnerable to contaminants due to their small body size and developing immune and nervous systems. The recall also highlights a broader safety issue: the contamination was detected during an FDA Total Diet Study, a nationwide monitoring program that tracks nutrients and contaminants in the U.S. food supply.

We will now explain what patulin is, why it can be dangerous, how the recalled product is identified, what parents should do now, and when legal claims may be appropriate.

What Is Patulin and How Does It Get Into Baby Food?

Patulin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain molds that can grow on fruit, especially fruit that is damaged or starting to rot. It is commonly associated with apples, but it may also be found in pears, peaches, and grapes.

In fruit puree products, patulin can become a concern if contaminated fruit is used in the manufacturing process. Because purees are blended and processed, contamination may not be obvious to consumers. That is one reason why surveillance programs and product testing remain critical for protecting families.

The FDA has warned that long-term ingestion of patulin may be associated with adverse health consequences, including potential immune suppression, nerve-related effects, and symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, and other systemic reactions. Even when immediate symptoms are not present, parents may still have valid concerns about exposure, especially for babies who consume puree products regularly.

FDA Total Diet Study: How the Issue Was Found

This recall was triggered after the FDA’s Total Diet Study detected patulin levels that were higher than is common for these types of products. The Total Diet Study is an annual monitoring program that evaluates roughly 800 nutrients and contaminants in the food supply.

That context matters because it suggests the contamination was not identified through routine consumer complaints alone. It was found through systematic monitoring, which can sometimes detect problems before widespread injury reports occur.

For families, the key takeaway is simple: a recall can still signal a meaningful safety concern even if there are not yet confirmed injuries in the public record.

Recalled Product Details: How to Identify the Tippy Toes Baby Food Lot

According to recall information, the recall is limited to one lot of the following product:

• Brand/Product: Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana fruit puree
• Packaging: 2-pound plastic tubs
• Lot Number: 07174
• Best-By Date: July 17, 2026
• Package Code Identifier: INIA0120

If a parent or caregiver still has the tub, the lot number and identifiers are typically located on the label or container markings.

Distribution: Where the Recalled Baby Food Was Sold

The recalled product was distributed nationwide to retail stores in all states except Alaska. It may also have been distributed to Guam and Puerto Rico.

Because the distribution footprint is broad, families in many locations may be affected even if they do not remember where the product was purchased. Parents who used online ordering, curbside pickup, or purchased through a local retailer should still check packaging and receipts when possible.

What Parents Should Do Right Now

If you have the recalled Tippy Toes product—or suspect you might—these steps can help protect your household and preserve your options:

1. Stop using the product immediately.
2. Do not taste-test it to confirm whether it seems “off.” Patulin contamination is not reliably detected by smell or taste.
3. Discard it safely or return it to the place of purchase for a refund, as directed by recall guidance.
4. Document what you have: take photos of the packaging, lot number, and best-by date.
5. Watch for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if your child develops concerning signs such as persistent vomiting, fever, unusual lethargy, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, or anything that feels abnormal.

For product questions, the recall notice includes a consumer phone number: 855-215-5730 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET).

Potential Health Concerns: Why Patulin Exposure Is Taken Seriously

Many people hear “mold toxin” and think the risk is limited to mild stomach upset. Patulin concerns can be broader depending on dose, frequency, and the vulnerability of the individual consuming it.

Infants and toddlers may face increased risk because:

• Their bodies are smaller, meaning a similar amount of exposure can represent a higher dose per pound of body weight.
• Their immune systems are still developing.
• They may consume the same puree products more frequently as part of a consistent feeding routine.

Even without confirmed injury reports, parents can reasonably worry about whether their child was exposed repeatedly. That is one reason product safety standards and manufacturing controls exist: families should not have to rely on “wait and see” when the consumer is a baby.

When a Baby Food Recall May Lead to a Lawsuit

Not every recall leads to litigation, but certain situations can create legal claims—especially if a child becomes ill, requires medical care, or if the family experiences financial and emotional harm tied to the contamination.

Baby food cases may involve claims such as:

• Product liability based on contamination or unsafe product condition
• Negligence involving sourcing, quality control, testing, or manufacturing controls
• Failure to warn if risks were not communicated in a timely or adequate way
• Consumer protection claims may be made in certain circumstances, depending on state law and facts.

Legal claims often turn on evidence. Parents can help protect their rights by keeping:

• Photos of the label and lot number
• Purchase records (receipts, online order confirmations)
• Medical records of any symptoms that occurred
• Notes about when the product was consumed and what happened afterward

What Parker Waichman LLP Found

Parker Waichman LLP is reviewing the facts and monitoring this baby food recall closely. Key points our firm is focusing on include:

• The recall was triggered by an FDA Total Diet Study finding elevated patulin levels, not routine complaints, which raises questions about how long contamination may have existed.
• The product was distributed nationwide, increasing the number of potentially affected families.
• The recalled puree targets infants and toddlers, a population that may face a higher risk from contaminants due to body size and development.
• Families may have legal options if a child becomes ill, needs a medical evaluation, or if repeated exposure creates measurable harm and financial loss.
• Preserving packaging, photos, and purchase records can be critical when evaluating whether a claim is viable.

Tippy Toes Patulin Lawsuit FAQs

What is the Tippy Toes baby food recall about?
Initiative Foods recalled one lot of Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana fruit puree because testing found elevated levels of patulin, a toxin produced by certain molds that can grow on fruit. The product was distributed nationwide to retail locations in nearly every state.

What is patulin, and why does it matter in baby food?
Patulin is a mycotoxin associated with mold growth in fruit, particularly apples. The concern is not only short-term stomach upset. The FDA has warned that long-term ingestion may be associated with immune suppression and nerve-related effects, along with symptoms such as headache, fever, and nausea. Babies and toddlers can be more vulnerable due to their size and development.

How do I know if I bought the recalled product?
Check for Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana fruit puree in a 2-pound plastic tub with lot number 07174, best-by date July 17, 2026, and package code identifier INIA0120. If you no longer have packaging, look for receipts or online order confirmations.

What should I do if my child ate the recalled baby food?
Stop using the product, document what you can (photos, receipts), and monitor your child. If your child develops concerning symptoms or you are worried about exposure, contact your child’s healthcare provider. If medical care was needed, keep all records.

Can I sue if my child did not get sick?
In many cases, lawsuits focus on measurable harm such as illness, medical treatment, or documented injury. However, each situation is different. If your child consumed the product and you incurred medical costs, diagnostic testing, or other losses, a lawyer can evaluate whether a claim may exist.

What compensation could be available in a baby food contamination case?
Depending on the facts, compensation may include medical bills, follow-up care, out-of-pocket costs, and, in serious cases, damages for pain and suffering or long-term impacts. If a child experienced significant complications, additional damages may be available under state law.

How long do I have to file a claim?
Time limits vary by state and can depend on the type of claim and when the injury was discovered. Speaking with counsel early helps protect your filing deadlines and preserves evidence.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If your child consumed the recalled Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana baby food and you are concerned about patulin exposure, especially if your child became ill, needed medical care, or you incurred costs, you may have legal options.

Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm that represents families harmed by unsafe products and contaminated consumer goods. We are reviewing potential claims related to this recall and can explain what evidence matters, what compensation may be available, and what steps to take next.

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