In November 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall of WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce pouches due to high lead levels. Samples of the cinnamon applesauce pouches indicated lead levels that were 200 times higher than the FDA permissible limits. These pouches are sold in stores such as Dollar Store, Amazon, Weis, Eatwell Markets, and Schnucks. This recall raises significant concerns, especially given that the primary consumer of this product is young children, and exposure to metals such as lead can impact child health and development. The first case was identified in June 2023 in North Carolina and in the following months, 65 cases and counting were reported from across the country.
Note: Lead Poisoning Fact Sheet: Eight Facts Parents Should Know
The question at hand is, how have the lead levels in this applesauce become so high? After the initial lead poisoning cases were reported, the FDA launched investigations in an attempt to find a potential culprit. The elevated lead levels have exclusively been found in the cinnamon flavor of the applesauce pouches, suggesting that the cinnamon itself carries toxic amounts of lead. The Ecuadorian supplier Negocios Asociados Mayoristas (Negasmart) has now been identified as the likley source who has been supplying contaminated raw cinnamon material. Negasmart has stated that their cinnamon is typically imported from Asia and they are currently collaborating with investigators to trace the origin of the contamination.
Metals such as lead can contaminate foods through polluted water or air and can infiltrate into the product at any stage of the production process. In the case of spices such as cinnamon, the lead contamination can be caused by uptake from the soil that the cinnamon tree is planted in (environmental contamination), the usage of pesticides, the equipment/pipes from the facility that it is processed and packaged in, or even from being stored in the supermarket.
Thus far, the applesauce pouches are the only cinnamon flavored products to have caused lead poisoning, however, the FDA has acknowledged that it is possible there are other contaminated cinnamon products. The FDA has proclaimed this issue as high priority and is continuing to investigate various products across the nation.
In instances where it is believed that a child has been exposed to high levels of lead, seeking medical attention is recommended. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children often include nausea, fatigue, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. According to one national food poisoning law firm, who filed the first lead lawsuit against WanaBana, “getting tested is very important. Knowing a child’s blood lead level is the first step to deciding what treatment in necessary adn answering the question as to what impact this exposure may have had on your child.”
