Another fruit pouch recall has parents buzzing on social media. GoGo Squeez has initiated a voluntary recall of certain applesauce pouches due to “quality concerns.” The company discovered food product residue in two pumps at a production facility, leading to the concern that some of this residue might have ended up in the final product. Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported, and the recall was purely precautionary. Production has been halted while they investigate further.
The company explains, “We believe the residue is likely a buildup of applesauce or apple puree. During our process, we peel and crush the apples into puree, and our pasteurization should handle any safety concerns. We haven’t found any evidence of this residue in our pouches, but we’re recalling some products just to be safe.”
While this recall is quite mild—no reported illnesses and voluntary—it has reopened old wounds for many parents. As Buzzfeed highlighted, “parents have been complaining for months about finding mold in their snacks.” Let’s clarify: there was no mold found this time, but the news has sparked anxiety about the possibility of feeding kids moldy food.
And who can blame them? Nobody wants to hand their child a recalled product, especially when images of moldy snacks circulate online. However, let’s take a moment to breathe. There have been zero illnesses associated with this recall. It seems some folks are jumping to conclusions, equating “food residue” with “mold.” Just to clarify, there’s been no mention of mold in this situation. And even if there were, let’s be honest—mold happens.
We want our kids to eat preservative-free foods, and that’s fantastic! But let’s face it: who has the time to make everything from scratch? So, we buy these convenient fruit pouches and expect them to be safe. But here’s the catch: if you’re opting for preservative-free goodies, there’s a chance mold can occur. It’s just science. Fresh fruit is exposed to air, which can lead to mold growth if the pouch gets even the tiniest puncture.
You know that myth about how a McDonald’s Happy Meal won’t mold if left out forever? (Spoiler alert: that’s been debunked). People freak out over that! Yet when they find a natural occurrence like mold in their food, they lose it. What are we truly after? If we desire natural foods without preservatives yet also want them to be immune to mold, sorry, that’s just not feasible.
The company has been addressing every complaint on their Facebook page with transparency and a voluntary recall, which honestly makes me more inclined to trust them. If fruit pouches are going to be a thing, let’s make them clear so we can see what’s inside. Until then, it shouldn’t be shocking if we encounter mold—it’s gross but also a reality, like the forgotten produce in the back of our fridge. As experts from the Poison Control Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia noted during a past mold incident, “it may be unappetizing and upsetting to the stomach, but it’s usually not medically dangerous.”
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In summary, while recalls can be alarming, it’s essential to separate fact from fear. Mold is a natural occurrence, especially in preservative-free products, and as long as there are no reported health issues, we can breathe a little easier.