The FDA has found that some ground cinnamon products have elevated levels of lead. There is no safe level of lead consumption. The FDA has also recommended that the firms voluntarily recall these products, with the exception of the MTCI cinnamon, because the agency has not been able to reach that company. The recalled products include La Fiesta cinnamon, with lot code 25033, sold at La Superior and SuperMercados stores and distributed by La Fiesta Food Products of La Miranda, California; Marcum ground cinnamon with best by date/lot code pairs 10/16/25 10D8 and 4/6/25 and 0400B1, sold at Save A Lot stores, distributed by Moran Foods of Saint Ann, Missouri; and MK cinnamon, with no codes, sold at SF Supermarket and distributed by MTCI of Santa Fe Springs, California. Also part of … [Read more...]
Marcum Ground Cinnamon Recalled For Elevated Lead Levels
Marcum ground cinnamon is being recalled for elevated lead levels. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this issue. The recalling firm is Colanna Brothers of North Bergen, New Jersey. Short term exposure to very low levels of lead may not cause any symptoms, but there is no safe level of lead consumption. The effects of lead consumption can vary on the amount, duration of exposure, and the patient's age and body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for weeks or months, permanent damage to the central nervous system can occur, including lowered IQ. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney problems, high blood pressure, and neurocognitive effects. The cinnamon was sold nationwide at the retail level and also through … [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...]
Carlos Aguilera Supplied Cinnamon For Wanabana Purees
Carlos Aguilera supplied the cinnamon that were used to make WanaBana fruit purees that caused many lead poisoning illnesses, according to the FDA. Ecuadorian officials in Agencia Nacional de Regulación, Control y Vigilancia Sanitaria (ARCSA) are reporting this discovery. Carlos Aguilera, located in Ecuador, is the processor of the ground cinnamon supplied by Negasmart to Austrofoods and was later used in the recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon products. The unprocessed cinnamon sticks used in the recalled products were sourced from Sri Lanka and were sampled by ARCSA and found to have no lead contamination. The investigation is ongoing. The FDA has limited authority over foreign ingredient suppliers who do not ship directly to the United States, so they cannot take direct … [Read more...]
82 Children Sick After Eating Recalled WanaBana Fruit Purees
There are now at least 82 children sick with lead poisoning after eating recalled WanaBana cinnamon fruit purees, according to the FDA. The FDA is continuing to investigate how the product was contaminated with lead. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (5), Indiana (1), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (7), Missouri (2), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (2), West Virginia (1), and Unknown (3). Report dates range from October 17, 2023 to December 20, 2023. The vast majority … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Lead Poisoning Outbreak Linked to WanaBana
The CDC has updated the lead poisoning outbreak that is linked to recalled WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches. The CDC has received these numbers from state and local health departments: confirmed cases 67, probable cases 122, and suspect cases 16. The states where ill children live are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The case count numbers are different from FDA numbers because the FDA uses confirmed numbers. As the investigation progresses, cases may move to different … [Read more...]
FDA Updates WanaBana Lead Poisoning Outbreak Investigation
The FDA has updated the WanaBana lead poisoning outbreak investigation. The FDA has finished conducting an onsite inspection of the Austrofoods facility in Ecuador, where the products were made. At least 64 people, all children under the age of six, have been sickened with lead poisoning after allegedly eating Wanabana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (3), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (3), and Wisconsin (1). … [Read more...]
Now 64 Children Sick With Lead Poisoning in WanaBana Outbreak
There are now at least 64 children sick with lead poisoning in WanaBana outbreak, according to the FDA. All of these patients are under the age of six. They live in 27 states. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (3), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (3), and Wisconsin (1). The report date ranges are from October 17, 2023 through December 1, 2023. There is a lag in the time frame from when children first start experiencing the symptoms of lead … [Read more...]
