FDA Investigates Recalled Applesauce Pouches Potentially Contaminated Intentionally
A generally healthy and easy snack for parents to give their children is an applesauce pouch. Whether on the go or a quick after-dinner snack, these packets have been convenient and tasty, but they've recently run into an issue.
Applesauce pouches, specifically the ones containing cinnamon, have recently been recalled due to a contamination. As the FDA investigates this issue, it's come to light that the contamination may have not been a mistake but intentional.
Which Pouches are Being Recalled?
One of the applesauce pouches being recalled is the WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree, which according to the Food and Drug Administration, contained lead levels over 2,000 times the international safety standards. In response, WanaBana announced a recall for these pouches in October. Just a month later, two more products made by the company were also recalled due to the same issue: Schnucks applesauce pouches with cinnamon and Weis cinnamon applesauce.
Samples tested by the FDA contained "extremely high levels of lead", with one sample containing lead levels of 5,110 parts per million, and another containing lead levels of 2,270 parts per million.
Since the mid-1980's, the FDA has worked to drastically lower the levels of lead in exposure in foods. As of January 2023, the action levels specifically in children under 2 have been set at 10 parts per billion, but these guidelines may not be put into place until 2025.
Over 65 Children With Lead Poisoning
The applesauce pouches being recalled are all made at the same facility, Austrofoods in Ecuador. For the past couple of months, these three brands have been investigated along with the facility they're made in. Austrofoods and Wanabana determined through their investigation that the cinnamon in the pouches were the root cause of the lead levels.
At least 65 children under the age of 6 in the U.S. have been diagnosed with lead poisoning associated with the applesauce pouches. According to the FDA, many of the children exposed to the contamination have "no obvious immediate symptoms." However, children exposed for a short amount of time could experience headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, and anemia. A more long-term exposure could lead to muscle aches, fatigue, irritability, tremors, and trouble concentrating.
If you're worried that your child or someone you know has been exposed to lead poisoning, the FDA advises parents to call their doctor and get a blood test. They also advise families to check their pantries for any of the brands that have been contaminated and to throw them out.
WanaBana has announced they will be giving parents who were affected by the recall "up to a total amount of $150" to help pay for doctor visits and blood testing.
What Was the Cause of the Contamination?
While the investigation is still underway, the FDA announced on Friday the contamination was potentially intentional and the result of economically motivated adulteration - AKA food fraud. According to the FDA, food fraud is when an undisclosed ingredient is added to a product in order to enhance it. For example, when lead-based dyes are added to give spices a specific color.
The goal of food fraud would be for the company to be able to make a cheap product and sell it at a higher price point. However, this is at the cost of individual's health.
Have Any Other Products Been Contaminated?
The FDA announced that they don't believe other WanaBana products that don't contain cinnamon have been contaminated. However, according to Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health, two additional products of the brand tested positive for high lead levels: mango passionfruit banana smoothie and organic mango puree. Although the FDA tested over 100 samples of these flavors to receive negative results, these products are listed as "unavailable" on the Dollar Tree's website.
On Tuesday, the FDA announced it was working with Ecuadorian authorities to find out more information on Austofood's cinnamon supplier, Negasmart. Together, they plan to find out if any more of the contaminated cinnamon has been used in other products sent to the U.S.