FDA inspects facility in Ecuador that makes lead-containing fruit pouches

U.S. health officials have launched an inspection of a factory in Ecuador that produced cinnamon-applesauce pouches linked to dozens of cases of acute lead poisoning in U.S. children

From

JONEL ALECCIA AP health journalist

December 6, 2023, 12:28 PM ET

• 2 min reading

U.S. health officials have launched an inspection of a factory in Ecuador that produced cinnamon-applesauce pouches linked to dozens of cases of acute lead poisoning in U.S. children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said contaminated cinnamon is the likely source of the lead. An FDA team is collecting samples from the Austrofoods plant that shipped the now-recalled applesauce pouches, which are widely available at Dollar Tree and other stores in the United States

The agency said health officials in Ecuador found that cinnamon from Austrofood’s supplier had higher levels of lead than the country allows. The Negasmart company faces sanctions while officials there track down the source of the cinnamon, the FDA reported Tuesday.

At least 64 children from 27 states have reported illnesses possibly linked to the products recalled in late October, the FDA said. So far all children are 6 years old or younger.

The recalled applesauce pouches were sold under the brand names WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis. They were sold at Dollar Tree, Amazon and other online outlets.

The bags were recalled after officials in North Carolina first reported cases of young children showing high levels of lead in their blood after consuming bags that contained extremely high levels of lead.

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