Last updated at 16:35, Thursday, 23 July 2009

A MUM has told how her baby boy “turned bright red” as he choked on a piece of plastic in his food.

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Nine-month-old Oliver Barrow was eating Heinz Mum’s Own Recipe spaghetti bolognese when the drama unfolded.

Oliver’s mum, 28-year-old Rachel Davies, of Ribble Gardens, Walney, said her partner David Barrow was feeding the toddler when she was out at work.

She said: “Oliver has had the spaghetti bolognese before, but was putting his fingers in his mouth.

“When David tried giving him another mouthful, Oliver started choking and turned bright red.”

Ms Davies said David got their son a drink and patted his back, causing Oliver to vomit.

She said he then saw the jagged piece of plastic – bigger than a postage stamp – which he was able to take out of his mouth.

Ms Davies added: “We phoned Heinz and had to send the food jar and plastic to their lab at Wigan.

“I was amazed when they phoned me back to say they were recalling the product from the supermarkets. They also apologised and promised to send flowers and something for Oliver.

“It was lucky it never came to the worst. We were concerned the same thing didn’t happen to someone else’s baby.”

Mr Barrow – a chef at Forum 28 – said when Oliver first started choking, he looked in his mouth and couldn’t see anything.

He said: “He was sick a few times as I carried him round the house and then I saw the plastic had appeared in his mouth.”

Heinz confirmed it was taking the precautionary measure of recalling part of an isolated batch of Heinz Mum’s Own Recipe Spaghetti Bolognese, seven months plus baby food in 200g jars, because of the potential presence of small pieces of plastic which could present a risk of choking.

Company spokesman Nigel Dickie said the code affected is 9136, which is marked on the top of the cap, with a best before end date of 11/2010, which will be on the side of the cap.

He added: “Parents and carers are being advised not to use the product.

“Heinz has informed the UK and Irish food authorities about the precautionary action and advertisements are appearing in the national media to advise parents and carers of the recall.

“Heinz is carrying out a full investigation of the incident to ensure it does not reoccur and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

“This action only affects the seven months plus variety of Mum’s Own Spaghetti Bolognese.”

Call the Heinz UK Careline on 08000 151557 for a full refund, or in the Republic of Ireland, 1800 696979.

First published at 13:10, Thursday, 23 July 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk