Category of food product: Food & Beverages (Infant and Children’s Fruit Puree)
Type of recall: Contamination / Elevated Lead Levels
Date: November 9, 2023
WanaBana USA performs a voluntary product recall of all WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches because some products contain lead contamination. This recall also applies to some cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches under the Schnucks and Weis brands. The recalled product was distributed nationally through online and retail stores, including Dollar Tree and Amazon.
Lead is toxic to humans, particularly children, and is linked to serious health effects. High lead exposure in the body may lead to symptoms including headache and abdominal pain and vomiting and anaemia and irritability and tiredness and fatigue and thinking problems. As lead poisoning typically goes undetected in early stages, caregivers of children who consumed these products are strongly encouraged to seek clinical testing.
Investigations conducted by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as well as Agriculture, detected these products had lead levels, which were deemed to potentially lead to acute toxicity. It is suspected that the contamination may have occurred from the cinnamon ingredient within the products which was sourced from Negasmart, in Ecuador. [1]
The investigation associates contaminated products with high levels of lead in the cinnamon powder used to manufacture the products. The companies that manufactured the affected products failed to sufficiently control or test the cinnamon powder for heavy metals. As a result, the companies manufactured finished products that were contaminated with heavy metals, which were later sold to the public.
Brand / Manufacturer | Product Name | Form | Lot Numbers | Distribution Channels |
WanaBana LLC | Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree | 3-pack pouches (2.5 oz) | All lots | Dollar Tree, Amazon, Online |
Schnucks | Cinnamon Apple Sauce | 90g pouches | 05023:19, 09023:22, 09023:24 | Walmart, online |
Weis | Cinnamon Apple Sauce | 90g pouches | 05023:28 | Walmart, online |
(Please note: Other lot numbers may be affected; please verify lot number and expiration date prior to use.) [2]
Testing at the laboratory established that significantly high levels of lead were associated with these apple cinnamon puree products, exceeding allowable FDA levels significantly. Lead contamination is a serious public health issue, especially for young children who are at heightened risk for the effects of lead poisoning. The products do not include lead as an ingredient, so they are regulated under the adulterated category by the FDA.
This recall serves as an example of the need for extensive ingredient testing and ingredient verification if warranted (especially in spices, such as cinnamon, that contain high levels of heavy metal contamination). Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), along with rigorous quality control practices and follow-through are important in relation to food for vulnerable groups such as infants and young children.
The FDA and WanaBana USA’s recall of the impacted apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches underscores the continued challenge of managing heavy metal contamination in food supply chains. Consumers are reminded to always be vigilant about the safety of consumable products and not to consume those that are recalled. Healthcare professionals should be informed about lead exposure symptoms associated with the consumption of recalled products. Manufacturers and suppliers need to improve their quality assurance and preventive controls to minimize similar events and protect public health.
Food research lab that do heavy metal testing and food safety are strongly encouraged to collaborate for more advanced analytical services to protect product safety and comply with regulatory requirements.
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