Assays conducted by FDA demonstrated that chromium is a co-contaminant with lead in cinnamon added to apple puree. The product responsible for toxicity in over 380 children was initially identified through lead assays of blood of symptomatic infants.  Initial quantitative assays suggest that the lead contaminant was most probably in the form of lead chromate (PbCrO4).  The FDA laboratory was unable to differentiate between trivalent chromium (III) and hexavalent chromium (VI) that differ in their toxicity.  This is a major deficiency of the FDA capability and should be rectified. 

Neither arsenic nor cadmium were detected in recalled apple puree product, consistent with assays performed by state laboratories that have determined high levels of lead and chromium in the range of 0.6 ppm with proportionately higher levels in the cinnamon additive.