The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently announced that the lead contamination found in recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches may have been intentional. The FDA has been conducting an investigation into the lead contamination in the cinnamon-flavored applesauce products from WanaBana since October. The agency suspects that the source of the lead contamination is the cinnamon itself.
The FDA believes that the contamination was the result of “economically motivated adulteration,” also known as “food fraud.” This refers to the practice of adding cheaper ingredients to products without disclosure. It is believed that in this case, lead-based dyes may have been added to the spices to give the products a certain color.
WanaBana, the food manufacturer, has not yet provided a response to the requests for comment regarding this matter. The FDA has stated that “food fraud” can be a serious issue and considering the potential health risks associated with lead contamination, they are taking this matter very seriously.
Although the agency has confirmed that this is one of the theories behind the contamination, they emphasize that further investigation is needed in order to reach any conclusive results.
The recall includes three products manufactured by WanaBana, which are the WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree, Schnucks apple sauce pouches with cinnamon, and Weis cinnamon apple sauce.
As part of their investigation, the FDA conducted an on-site inspection of the facility in Ecuador where the applesauce pouches were produced. In addition, Ecuadorian authorities have also initiated a separate investigation and found that the cinnamon supplier, Negasmart, had lead levels exceeding the country’s permitted limits.
As the investigation continues, the FDA has advised parents not to purchase the recalled products. It is imperative to prioritize the health and safety of consumers, and this caution is seen as a preventative measure while the agency carries out its investigation.
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