Important Information about Baby Food Recall

Making homemade baby food is becoming extremely popular and with food recalls and warnings it's becoming a very smart idea. Many parents are enjoying the recipes at www.BearMan.com over commercial baby food for there little ones.

Here is some much needed information about the baby food RECALL.

Gerber Baby Food Recall: Choking Hazard From Organic Baby Food! - September, 2007

A choking hazard has prompted a Gerber baby food recall. According to reports, the FDA is aware and "concurs," but at this time has not issued a press release or any other information this evening.

According to media reports, The Gerber Products Co. has recalled all packages of its organic rice and organic oatmeal cereals. That comes to about 500-thousand packages.

The AP reports that the Gerber recall was issued on Friday because of the possiblility of clumping in the baby food, which constitutes a possible choking hazard.

The company has received several complaints of choking but at this time there have been few reported injuries. According to the Associated Press, Gerber states that a "marginal quantity" of the cereals contain lumps that are unable to dissolve in milk or water.

The two products have been distributed nationwide as well as to Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean. They are packaged in 8-ounce boxes and all codes are being recalled. The organic rice cereal UPC code is 15000 12504 and the organic oatmeal cereal UPC code is 15000 12502. The baby food should be discarded and not consumed. Customers can call the Gerber parents resource center at 800-443-7237 or 231-928-3000 to get info on returning the product for a full refund.

Hi, My name is Kathy and all my girlfriends make their own baby food.

I think that's really smart! Your baby has to eat wholesome foods and giving him commercially prepared foods provides him everything he needs to grow healthy. Baby food companies would be out of business if the foods they made were not healthy for babies. Making your own is a personal choice and preference and will not make your little one any less healthy than the next baby.

You can always make semi-homemade baby food by adding fresh ingredients to commercial baby food purees. Be sure to visit www.BearMan.com for homemade tips and recipes and homemade baby food recipes.

Did you know that baby's first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal? Many pediatric resources are acknowledging the fact that avocado, banana and sweet potato make great first foods for baby!

Kathy Jamison Presents: HOMEMADE BABY FIRST FOODS - BABY'S FIRST PUREES

Foods, Rice Cereal, Fruit Purées and Baby Vegetable Purée Recipes

Avocado - a great first food for baby, avocados burst with essential fats and nutrients that a growing baby needs! Smooth and creamy, avocados are easily digested and well tolerated

Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium

1. Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado - do not cook
2. Cut “meat” out and mash with a fork
3. There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up. Learn More about Avocado

Bananas - bananas are another great first food for your baby. Research indicates that bananas and their mucosal properties actually help coat the tummy and help aid in digestion. Bananas are sweet, which may help baby more readily accept the first food experience.

Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium

1. Peel ripe bananas - do not cook
2. Place banana in a food processor/food mill or blender and puree
3. You can also mash the banana in a bowl using a regular fork – heat in microwave for 25 seconds prior to mashing for extra softness
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.

Organic Brown Rice Cereal - Did you know that baby's first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal? Many pediatric resources are acknowledging the fact that avocado, banana and sweet potato make great first foods for baby!

If you decide to make homemade baby cereal, make it with brown rice (organic if preferred). Whole grains are more healthy and nutritious for your baby (and for the whole family). Learn more about whole grains. You may also be interested in reading our Cereal FAQ explaining what types of grains to use, how long they may be stored and more!

1/4 c. rice powder (organic brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water

1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.

Pears
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium
1. Peel and cut into chunks so as to avoid the little seed portion.
2. Steam gently until tender;
3. Place in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth. You may be able to just use a fork too!
4. Use the leftover cooking water if needed but Pears tend to be very runny and watery without adding liquid - Add some baby cereal to thicken if needed.

Squash (winter)(4)6 months+
(nutrient info for squash of all types may be found at our "Tips on Squash" page)

1. Cut acorn, hubbard, or butternut squash in half, scoop out seeds
2. Place an inch of water in a baking pan, then place squash halves "face" down in the pan. Check on water level while baking
3. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes or until the “shell/skin” puckers and halves feel soft then scoop squash “meat” out of the shell
4. Place squash "meat" into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
5. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency.
6. You can also peel the squash, scoop out the seeds and then cut into chunks and boil/steam until tender (like when boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes) then follow steps 4 and 5

Yams/Sweet Potato (4)6 months+
Learn why a Yam really is NOT a Yam!
Vitamins: A (24,877 mg ), C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Calcium

1. Wash and poke holes in sweet potato with fork then wrap sweet potatoes in tin foil - do not peel for baking/microwaving. (you can also do this in the microwave - only use plastic wrap and cook for 8 minutes on high or until tender)
2. Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes or until soft
3. OR
4. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small chunks
5. Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato
6. "Steam" boil until tender, be sure to check on the water level.
7. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the sweet potatoes
8. If you have baked your sweet potato, remove skins and use liquid from your preferred source
9. Place sweet potato into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
10. Add the reserved water or other liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Baby First Foods and Homemade Baby Food Recipes for Babies 6 months and older

Mango (6-8 months - sometimes over 8 months)
Vitamins: A (1262 IU in one cup!), C, E, K, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium

1 Ripe Mango
Peel, Deseed and mash Mango until smooth

Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.

Apples (Applesauce)
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium

This recipe is written so that you may use any amount of apples you wish!
1. Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
2. Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
3. Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir. 4. Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 – 7
5. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
6. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
7. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
8. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the
9. Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes!

HINT! You may also buy an "Adult" jar of Natural applesauce from your local grocers! Make sure you buy Natural Applesauce however! Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water or just apples! A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their Natural Applesauce; this is fine!

Salt and sugar are never needed when making baby food. Omit these items, preferably at ALL times, in your baby's meals! Other spices such as cinnamon, garlic powder, pepper etc. may be introduced as early as 7 months with your pediatricians consult.

Please write to me at www.GoodyRecipe.com