Lead Contamination Uncovered: FDA Investigation Triggers Recall of Untested Applesauce Packets

The manufacturer responsible for the recently recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches, Austrofood, neglected to conduct heavy metal testing on its product, as revealed by a recent inspection conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The plant’s operational deficiencies, identified during inspection, are now linked to numerous cases of nationwide lead poisonings. 

Austrofood, the producer of WanaBana brand cinnamon applesauce and batches for Weis and Schnucks, faces a recall. 

State and local health authorities, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have associated these products with at least 385 cases of lead poisonings across the United States. 

The CDC underscores heightened concern for very young children, who are notably vulnerable to lasting developmental delays resulting from lead poisoning.

Lead Poisoning Spreads to 42 States: Recall Connection

In 42 states, instances of lead poisoning have been documented in individuals who recently ingested one of the products subject to recall. 

Over the recent weeks, the number of reported cases has risen, as health departments establish connections between previous lead poisonings dating back to the previous year and the implicated product.

According to a statement from a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 19, the increase in case counts encompasses newly reported cases with varying timelines of applesauce consumption. 

Ongoing efforts include outreach to identify additional cases, and communication initiatives are concentrated on raising awareness about the hazards associated with these products to prevent future exposures.

Unprecedented Lead in WanaBana’s Applesauce

While concerns regarding elevated lead levels in baby food have been ongoing, last year, the FDA emphasized that the “extremely high” lead levels discovered in WanaBana’s cinnamon applesauce products were unprecedented.

 Investigators in North Carolina found concentrations of lead during applesauce testing that posed a risk of acute lead toxicity.

In recent testing of Austrofood’s cinnamon and the recalled pouches, another concerning metal, chromium, was detected earlier this month. 

The CDC and FDA suggested that this may be attributed to lead chromate, a substance used by manufacturers in some countries to conceal quality issues with spices, resulting in both chromium and lead poisoning.

The FDA initiated an investigation last year to determine whether the lead was deliberately introduced to the cinnamon supplied to Austrofood for economic motives, though a conclusive confirmation of this causation is yet to be established.