In light of the recent string of lead poisoning cases in children across the U.S. linked to fruit puree pouches contaminated with lead and chromium, members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have written a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to express concerns and request an immediate briefing. FDA’s investigation of the food safety incident is ongoing.
In late October 2023, The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) notified FDA about reports of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children, which was connected to the consumption of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches containing high levels of lead. FDA testing found lead levels in the WanaBana puree samples to be 2.18 parts per million (ppm), more than 200 times higher than the agency’s proposed action level for lead in fruit purees. Similar adulteration was detected in fruit puree pouches under the Weis and Schnucks brands, prompting a recall of those products as well.