New York public health officials have confirmed a case of lead poisoning associated with the nationwide recall of applesauce products. Investigators from the Monroe County Department of Public Health traced the case to WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree purchased at a Dollar Tree store before the product, along with Schnucks and Weis-brand apple cinnamon pouches, was recalled in November due to elevated lead levels. The recall, initiated by Ecuador-based Austrofood, followed reports of children falling ill with high lead concentrations.
As a response to the confirmed case, Dr. Michael Mendoza, the Commissioner of Public Health, is urging Monroe County residents to check their homes for the recalled products and dispose of any remaining applesauce. The agency stressed that there is no safe level of lead in children and has alerted local healthcare providers to screen for elevated blood lead levels related to the recalled products.
As of December 5, the FDA received 64 reports of illnesses possibly linked to the recalled products, with confirmed complainants being under 6 years of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of at least 52 cases across 13 states as of December 1. Authorities cautioned that the counts reported by each agency might differ due to different data sources.
WanaBana believes that the source of the elevated lead levels in the recalled products is cinnamon. The cinnamon used in manufacturing was supplied by Negocios Asociados Mayoristas S.A., operating as Negasmart, a third-party distribution company in Ecuador. The FDA is collaborating with Ecuadorian authorities to investigate the contamination source and determine if the cinnamon was used in other products or distributed as a raw ingredient to other countries.
Negasmart does not directly import cinnamon into the U.S., and the FDA has conducted an inspection at the Austrofoods facility in Ecuador to identify the source of elevated lead levels in cinnamon apple pouches. The investigation underscores the importance of consumer awareness and prompt disposal of the recalled products to mitigate the risk of lead exposure.
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