On Monday, the United States Food and Drug Administration announced that tests conducted on cinnamon samples that were taken during an examination of a factory in Ecuador that was linked with contaminated applesauce pouches revealed lead levels that were more than 2,000 times higher than the criteria that were proposed.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing its investigation into the excessive lead levels found in cinnamon applesauce pouches that were sold in the United States. According to the agency, there have been at least 69 reports of illnesses that have been linked to pouches sold under the names WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks. All of the illnesses have been brought to the attention of children under the age of six.
These pouches have been recalled. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, which makes use of a variety of data sources, it has received reports of 205 confirmed, probable, or suspected cases in 33 states. A recent examination by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an Austrofood factory in Ecuador resulted in the collection of cinnamon samples from a different company, Negasmart, which was the supplier of the cinnamon.
According to an update provided by the EPA on Monday, the samples contained “extremely high levels of lead contamination, 5110 parts per million (ppm) and 2270 ppm.” For the purpose of providing context, the international standard-setting body known as the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) is contemplating the implementation of a maximum threshold of 2.5 parts per million (ppm) for lead in bark spices, which includes cinnamon, in the year 2024.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the inspection has been completed, and the testing did not uncover any additional products that should be recalled. There is currently an ongoing investigation into whether or not this cinnamon may have been utilized in other items that have been brought into the United States, and there is still an intensified screening process in place for certain cinnamon products that are imported.
