FDA: Lead Levels in Tainted Applesauce 2,000 Times Higher Than Proposed Standards
By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2023 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors have found levels of toxic lead 2,000 times higher than proposed standards in cinnamon samples gathered at a facility in Ecuador linked to tainted applesauce pouches.
Tests conducted at an Ecuadorian facility run by Austrofoods (maker of the recalled applesauce) revealed that cinnamon supplied to the plant by another company, Negasmart, contained "extremely high levels of lead contamination, 5,110 parts per million (ppm) and 2,270 ppm," the FDA said in its latest update. To put that into context, an international body charged with setting lead limits in bark-sourced spices such as cinnamon "is considering adopting a maximum level of 2.5 ppm for lead in bark spices," the FDA said.
As of Dec. 18, 65 children younger than 6 years of age have been diagnosed with symptoms of lead poisoning tied to various brands of recalled applesauce. Last week, an FDA source said that the cinnamon used in the recalled applesauce may have been deliberately tainted with the toxic element.
"We're still in the midst of our investigation," Jim Jones, the FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, told Politico. "But so far all of the signals we're getting lead to an intentional act on the part of someone in the supply chain and we’re trying to sort of figure that out."
The applesauce pouches under recall so far are from three brands -- Weis, WanaBana, and Schnucks. Each is tied to the same manufacturing facility in Ecuador, which the FDA said it is now inspecting. According to Politico, the FDA suspects the deliberate adulteration of cinnamon included in the applesauce products was "economically motivated." Typically, that involves boosting the perceived quality of a product while producing it at a cheaper price.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted December 2023
Read this next
Exposure to Toxic Metals Linked to Faster Increases in Glycemia
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2024 -- Exposure to toxic metals and alterations in essential metal homeostasis are associated with faster increases in glycemia over time in a high-risk Mexican...
Tampons May Be a Source of Metal Exposure
THURSDAY, July 11, 2024 -- Tampon use is a potential source of metal exposure, according to a study published in the August issue of Environmental International. Jenni A...
Child Blood Lead Positively Linked to Household Firearm Ownership
TUESDAY, March 19, 2024 -- Elevated child blood lead is positively associated with household firearm ownership, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in The Journal of...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.