The FDA has issued a warning letter to Austrofood about lead and chromium in the cinnamon used to make apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches that were recalled in 2023. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture conducted lab analysis of multiple lots of those pouches and found extremely high levels of lead. In addition, after an inspection in the company's facility in Ecuador, FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practices, Hazard Analysis, and Risk Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. A hazard analysis was not conducted before the recall. Considering that food … [Read more...]
FDA Updates WanaBana Lead and Chromium Poisoning Cases
The FDA has updated the WanaBana lead and chromium poisoning cases. At least 90 children have been affected. The median age in this outbreak is one year old. This investigation is ongoing. The states with confirmed adverse event reports include: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (5), Indiana (1), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (7), Michigan (8), Missouri (3), North Carolina (6), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (2), West Virginia (3), and Unknown (3). The report date range is from October 17 2023 to … [Read more...]
Lead Chromate Found in WanaBana Cinnamon Apple Puree
The FDA says that lead chromate was found in WanaBana Cinnamon Apple Puree pouches, which means that anyone who ate it was exposed to chromium as well as lead. These heavy metals can cause serious health problems. The agency added that the leading hypothesis is that this was "likely an act of economically motivated adulteration." Historically, lead chromate has been illegally added to spices to enhance the color and increase the weight of the spice. That increases the monetary value. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that there are now 468 cases of lead poisoning linked to these products. There are 111 confirmed cases, 320 probable cases, and 37 suspect cases. The states where these patients live include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, … [Read more...]
Now 354 Kids Sick in WanaBana Purees Lead Poisoning Outbreak
There are now 354 kids sick in the WanaBana purees lead and chromium poisoning outbreak, according to the CDC. The FDA has found chromium in those products. There are 93 confirmed cases of lead poisoning, 233 probable cases, and 28 suspect cases. The patients live in these 41 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The vast majority of these patients are small children. The FDA found … [Read more...]
Testing Finds Chromium in WanaBaba Fruit Puree Products
FDA testing has found chromium in WanaBaba Fruit Puree products, in addition to the lead that was found previously. Anyone who ate these products should tell their healthcare provider that they have been exposed to chromium. Chromium is a naturally occurring element that is an essential trace nutrient, but depending on the form and the amount consumed, it can be toxic. Chromium III and Chromium IV are the predominant forms. Chromium IV is more toxic. Because of limitations in testing methods, the FDA was not able to definitively determine which form of chromium is in the cinnamon apple puree sample. The lead to chromium ratio in the sample is consistent with that of lead chromate, which contains chromium IV, but this is not a definitive indicator. In addition, the chromium in … [Read more...]
