To date the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 321 cases of chronic lead toxicity in infants as a result of consuming contaminated WanaBana apple puree recalled in early November 2023.
Based on a lack of information concerning the source of lead, alleged to be from a cinnamon ingredient, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations have addressed a letter to the FDA commissioner Dr. Robert Califf requesting additional information.
The Committees, “urgently requested a detailed briefing on the FDA investigation of intentional lead contamination in applesauce pouches, particularly the steps undertaken and measures for future prevention.” The Committees’ request to ascertain FDA approaches to detecting and interdicting intentional contamination, and other information was required by February 2nd.
The committees are requesting how the FDA determined that contamination was intentional, whether the FDA is collaborating with state and local departments of health and the history of FDA activities relating to heavy metal contamination of food products. Information was also requested on FDA analytical capabilities and whether the agency requires additional resources. There are a number of questions concerning the high-levels of lead and chromium in samples assayed and in fact whether the quantum of lead could have been derived from the cinnamon additive.
The FDA has yet to provide a detailed timeline and report on investigations both in Ecuador that currently is in a state of civil strife and whether any U.S. food plants were involved in processing, packing and distributing the contaminated product.