Parents of toddlers are being asked to check their pantries this week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning families not to buy or serve Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars after reports that young children choked on them, and the company has recalled every flavor of the snack.
The FDA posted its advisory on Friday, October 30, 2026. The agency said it had received several reports of toddlers between about 18 months and 2 and a half years old suffering what it called a “complete airway obstruction” after eating the bars. Some of the incidents required an emergency response and observation in a hospital. The company told reporters it had received three such reports.
What makes this snack different
Choking warnings usually involve hard or round foods. This one is unusual. According to the FDA, when the soft-baked bar is chewed it can form a dry, sticky mass. The agency said standard first aid for choking, including back blows and the Heimlich maneuver, may fail to dislodge that mass.
That detail is why the FDA is asking families to throw the bars away rather than simply cut them into smaller pieces. The agency also told retailers they should not sell the product.
Which products are included
The recall covers all flavors, sizes, lot codes and expiration dates of Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars. ABC News and NTD listed three flavors:
- Apple, Sweet Potato & Spinach
- Strawberry, Pumpkin & Beet
- Banana, Pumpkin & Cauliflower
The bars were sold nationwide in stores and online. ABC News reported they went to retail stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Retailers named by the FDA include Costco, Target and Walmart, and the agency said the bars may also have been sold on Amazon and by other third-party sellers. Product photos are posted on the FDA’s advisory page, and the company’s recall page lists the affected states and territories.
What the company says
Once Upon a Farm called the recall voluntary and said it is working with the FDA to remove the bars from stores. CEO John Foraker said the company is reformulating the Tractor Wheels line as part of a larger review of those products, ABC News reported. No timeline for a new version was given.
In its statement, the company acknowledged it had not met families’ expectations. “We fell short of that,” the company said, explaining why it is recalling the bars and reformulating the line.
Families who bought the bars can bring a receipt to the store where they purchased them for a refund, or contact the company’s customer care team by email at care@uponafarm.com, according to ABC News.
What the FDA tells families to do
- Do not buy or serve the bars, and throw away any you have at home.
- If your child has symptoms after eating the product, contact a health care provider.
- If someone is choking and first aid is not working, call 911 right away.
- Report problems or bad reactions to the FDA through its Industry and Consumer Assistance page.
Why it matters for families
Toddlers are still learning to chew and swallow, which makes them especially vulnerable to choking. Many parents choose soft toddler bars because they seem safer than crunchy snacks, so this warning is a reminder that texture matters as much as size.
The CDC’s guidance on choking hazards for young children offers some everyday habits that help at every meal and snack:
- Cut food into small pieces or mash it, and match the size, shape and texture to your child’s stage of development.
- Avoid small, sticky or hard foods that are difficult to chew and swallow.
- Keep children seated upright, such as in a high chair, and do not let them eat while walking, crawling, lying down or riding in a car seat or stroller.
- Keep mealtimes calm, limit distractions and do not rush.
- Watch your child the whole time they are eating.
The CDC also encourages parents to ask their child’s doctor or nurse what to do if a child chokes. Many hospitals and community groups offer infant and child CPR and first aid classes, which can help caregivers feel ready for an emergency.
What to watch next
The FDA said it will update its advisory as more information becomes available. Parents should watch for any changes to the list of affected products and for news on when, or whether, a reformulated version returns to stores.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have questions about your child’s eating, swallowing or choking risk, talk with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician.
Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA Advises Consumers Not to Buy or Serve Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars” (October 30, 2026); ABC News, “Once Upon a Farm to reformulate recalled bars: ‘We fell short’” (November 2, 2026); NTD, “FDA Issues Warning Against Toddler Snack Recalled Nationwide Over Choking Concerns” (November 2, 2026); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Choking Hazards | Infant and Toddler Nutrition” (March 11, 2026)
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