Three popular types of applesauce pouches aimed at children remained on shelves across the US for weeks despite containing 200 times the recommended lead limit.
Lead poisoning can lead to lifelong severe health problems and the news of lead-tainted applesauce has understandably alarmed parents across the US.
Dollar Store Condemned By FDA For Failures
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed in a letter to Dollar Tree that the company had failed to remove the contaminated applesauce products in a sufficiently timely manner.
The June letter revealed that health officials had found recalled pouches on shelves over eight weeks after the recall was first announced on October 29th, 2023.
The Contaminated Products
The recalled applesauce products were sold under the brands of Schnucks, Weiss, and WanaBana – all of which pride themselves on offering young children a healthy alternative to sugary snacks.
However, the FDA found that the brand’s recalled products had 2,180 parts per billion of lead. The FDA’s action level (limit) for lead in such food products for children is just 10 parts per billion.
What The FDA Had To Say
“The Agency is concerned with Dollar Tree’s capability to quickly remove unsafe products from its store shelves as necessary and as required during a public health threat, such as a recall,” said the FDA.
The Agency added, “While initial response activities to investigate the source of the contamination and prevent additional illnesses are completed, the Agency is continuing to explore prevention, compliance, and surveillance activities going forward.”
Cause of Lead Contamination Revealed
FDA investigations revealed that the source of lead contamination in the pouches was the cinnamon used.
The Agency also found that the contaminated cinnamon from manufacturer Austrofoods contained chromium, suggesting that they used lead chromate. The FDA posited the contamination was “likely an act of economically motivated adulteration.”
Dollar Tree Respond
The FDA effectively accused Dollar Tree of dragging its feet on responding to the recall, with contaminated products found on shelves weeks after the start of the recall. However, the popular discount chain sees things differently.
The chain responded by saying, “In October 2023, Dollar Tree took immediate action and began executing a recall of WanaBana’s Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouch upon being notified of the issue with the product. We continue to cooperate with FDA on this matter.”
Hundreds Hit By Lead Contamination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously confirmed 136 cases of lead poisoning across 44 states stemming from the contaminated applesauce. An additional 345 cases are suspected.
Oregon health officials also found that six children in the Beaver State had suffered lead poisoning after eating the recalled products.
Lead Poisoning is Hard To Detect
Despite the potentially life-changing adverse impact of lead poisoning, lead exposure is notoriously difficult to identify – with most children impacted exhibiting no immediately obvious symptoms.
Lead exposure can only be diagnosed via clinical testing, however, there are some potential symptoms people should look out for.
Symptoms of Lead Expoure
For those who display symptoms, signs of short-term lead exposure include headaches, vomiting, anemia, and colic/abdominal pain.
Long-term exposure can have additional symptoms including tremors, weight loss, muscle aches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Worrying Impact of Lead Exposure
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that exposure to lead can lead to a number of harmful long-term health problems such as brain damage, stunted development, behavioral problems and damage to one’s nervous system.
The serious risks stemming for lead poisoning underline how important it is for parents to check their shelves for the recalled products and to throw out any still in their possession.
