Choking Hazard Prompts Gerber Recall

U.S.-based babyfood company Gerber is recalling around half a million packs of organic rice and oatmeal cereal because of a risk babies might choke on the product, a spokesman said on Monday.

Gerber, owned by Swiss drugs group Novartis, said there was a danger that lumps of the cereal might not dissolve properly in milk or water "and pose a potential choking hazard."

The packages were distributed in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, the company said on its Web site.

Novartis said the recall was minor and that it would have no financial impact on the group, nor would the group make provisions to cover any losses from the recall.

It said the sale of Gerber to Nestle, the world's largest food group, would continue as planned.