Dollar Tree failed to effectively recall lead-contaminated applesauce bags linked to reports of illness in more than 500 children, leaving the products on some store shelves for two months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. (FDA).
The FDA sent a warning letter to Dollar Tree this month and placed Negasmart, the Ecuadorian distributor of WanaBana apple and cinnamon bags, under import alerts following the October 2023 recall of products that were contaminated with “extremely high” levels of lead and chromium.
Children in 44 states had probable or confirmed cases of elevated blood lead levels after eating applesauce promoted as a baby food, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak was declared over in April.
FDA officials sent a warning letter to Dollar Tree Inc. last week saying that WanaBana applesauce products remained on store shelves in several states until late December, two months after it was told the company about the recall. Officials at the Chesapeake, Virginia-based company had said they did not allow sales of the products at cash registers, but the FDA said that was “not an effective measure” because at least one child in Washington state He ate a bag of fruit from the lot to be picked up at a store.
Dollar Tree officials said in an email Tuesday that the company is operating under new management and is taking steps to strengthen its process “to quickly and effectively execute product recalls.” The company operates more than 16,000 discount stores in 48 states.
Anyone who has consumed any recalled product should consult a doctor, the CDC said. There is no safe level of lead consumption, which can cause serious learning and behavioral problems, the agency emphasized.
Purees include those sold under the WanaBana brand in Dollar Tree stores and online and under the Schnucks and Weis brands in stores. Because they have a long shelf life, they may still be found in home cupboards. Consumers should not eat or serve the contents of the packages and should throw them away.
Source: AP
