The FDA has issued a warning letter to Dollar Tree Inc. because of its failure to withdraw recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches linked to an outbreak of lead poisoning among children. “.
. . at the time of the recall, the company failed to adequately remove recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches from its store shelves.
In the weeks and months that followed the manufacturer’s voluntary recall of apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches, public health officials across many states reported continuing to see recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches on Dollar Tree store shelves,” according to an outbreak update from the Food and Drug Administration. The outbreak of lead poisonings in the fall and winter of 2023 sickened at least 519 children , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak stretched across 44 states.
The FDA collected 90 “adverse incident” reports in the outbreak. The two agencies use different reporting methods, so their numbers may overlap somewhat and should not be added together. When a food is recalled, retailers play a crucial role in carrying out the recall by ensuring that recalled products are not available to consumers at their stores, according to the FDA.
“The agency is concerned with Dollar Tree’s capability to quickly remove unsafe products from its store shelves as necessary and as required during a public health threat, such as a recall,” the FDA wrote in its update. “The FDA has aske.