Title: Lead Contamination in Applesauce Pouches: An Intentional Act?
In an interview published on Thursday, Jim Jones, the deputy director of the FDA for human food, suggested that the lead contamination found in certain apple-cinnamon baby food pouches might be the result of an "intentional act." Jones told Politico that the FDA has received signals indicating deliberate actions in relation to lead contamination. "It's part of someone in the supply chain, and we're trying to find that number," he stated.
This week, the FDA disclosed over 65 reports of illnesses linked to apple-cinnamon baby food pouches, sold under brands like WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks. All confirmed adverse events have occurred in children under 6 years old.
The FDA is currently conducting an on-site inspection of an Austrofood facility in Ecuador and collaborating with Ecuadorian authorities to gather information about Austrofood's cinnamon suppliers Negasmart. WanaBanana USA and Austrofood had previously confirmed Negasmart as their cinnamon supplier in a statement.
For a comment regarding the FDA's investigation, the FDA declined to provide further information to CNN on Thursday. CNN asked WanaBanana for a response to the FDA officials' comments.
"We will track the data, find the responsible parties, and hold them accountable," Jones said to Politico.
According to Dr. Diane Calello, executive director and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center, lead contamination in spices is quite common. Contamination is more prevalent in natural products like rice and apples due to the use of soil that contains metals in agriculture.
"Sometimes we see contaminated products deliberately sold by weight. The best way to make something heavy is by adding metal, after all," she explained. "So, I believe we often – perhaps every week or two – hear about a product – and usually curcumin – that is lead-contaminated."
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Calello underscored the importance of regular lead screenings for 1- and 2-year-old children in pediatrician's offices, noting that routine screenings may have been delayed due to the pandemic.
Lead is toxic for humans and there is no safe limit. It can result in developmental delays, as well as headaches, stomachaches, vomiting, anemia, irritability, fatigue, and weight loss in children.
The pouches have been recalled and should not be consumed. The FDA recommends that families at home check their pouches to ensure they have not been recalled.
Austrofood and WanaBanana USA are developing a reimbursement program for a portion of the medical expenses and are also creating a website to facilitate reimbursements for returned items.
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In light of the investigation, it's possible that responsible parties may be held accountable if lead contamination is found to be an intentional act. Regular lead screenings at pediatrician's offices can help detect potential lead poisoning early on.
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The FDA has been investigating elevated lead levels found in applesauce pouches, which were reported in November 2023. Here are the key points related to the investigation and potential responsibility of involved companies:
- Investigation Findings:
- The FDA identified elevated lead levels in applesauce pouches in November 2023[1].
- This investigation was part of a broader effort to ensure food safety, particularly in infant and toddler foods[1].
- Company Involvement:
- The specific companies involved in the contaminated applesauce pouches are not explicitly named in the FDA advisories. However, the investigation likely involved multiple manufacturers and distributors of applesauce products[1].
- Regulatory Actions:
- The FDA took several steps to address the issue, including public health advisories and investigations into multiple food companies[1].
- There have been no specific mentions of recalls or legal actions taken against individual companies in the provided sources. However, in late January 2025, the head of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Frank Yiannas, resigned due to "systemic management issues" within the agency that impacted its ability to effectively address food safety issues[2].
- Public Health Concerns:
- Elevated lead levels in infant and toddler foods pose serious health risks, including developmental delays and other long-term health issues[1][4].
- Ongoing Legal Actions:
- While the FDA investigation is ongoing, there are ongoing legal actions related to baby food contamination, including class-action lawsuits against major baby food manufacturers like Gerber and Beech-Nut alleging the presence of toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury in their products[2][4].
In summary, the FDA has been investigating elevated lead levels found in applesauce pouches since November 2023, with the investigation likely involving multiple manufacturers and distributors of applesauce products. The involvement of specific companies has not been explicitly named, but regulatory actions and ongoing legal actions suggest that responsibility may be assigned if intentional contamination is found. Regular lead screenings for 1- and 2-year-old children in pediatrician's offices remain critical in detecting potential lead poisoning early on.
