May
30
Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Product Safety
As we’ve established already, we have gotten mixed information regarding the plastic used in the Gerber baby food packs. But in general, all of the info we’ve received has still maintained that Gerber baby food packs are BPA Free. The tumultuous nature of this issue, coupled with the fact that the plastic numbers change each time someone calls Gerber has still made parents uneasy and waiting to know what the rest of their items are packaged in.
The last time I phoned Gerber, which was call #47 in the last 2 months, the woman I spoke to assured me that all of Gerber’s food packaging was BPA Free. They aren’t all polystyrene free though which makes me want to throw things. Anyway, after being asked a number of times about a few other popular Gerber items I thought I’d call them again to see what a few other items were packaged in.
One item is the Gerber Finger Foods, specifically the Fruit and Veggie Puffs. Apparently they have a #7 on the package and Gerber informed me that it was made with a “layered polypropylene” (#5) and the lid was LDPE (low density polyethylene or #4). Now, every time Gerber tells me its layered polypropylene I wonder why it warrants a #7 categorization if its all polypropylene. But I suppose the fact that there is more than one type of PP being used they are required to put it in the mixed #7 class.
Next up was the Gerber Graduates lil’ meals. They told me the container is also layered polypropylene 
(#5) with a LDPE lid (#4), and the label is polystyrene (#6… ew). The label doesn’t touch the food apparently but it’s worth mentioning.
Finally, I inquired about the Gerber juices, particularly the packs of small juices, which are marked with a #7 as well. Gerber says they are also, “layered polypropylene” (#5).
Gerber maintains that their food packaging is all BPA Free but I encourage parents to call and check fro themselves if you have doubts about any kind of packaging they provide. Gerber has an awesome hotline that is open 24/7 and I have never waited more than a minute or two for a representative to pick up.
Gerber Hotline: 1-800-4-GERBER
Related articles:
- Gerber Baby Food and Number 7 Plastics
- BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet
- Dear SafeMama: Yo Baby Organic Yogurt and Polystyrene
