Investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration into cinnamon imports from various countries is underway because of toxic lead contamination. This follows a surge in cases of children falling sick after consuming applesauce and applesauce.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to the FDA, cinnamon from a manufacturer in Ecuador is the probable origin of the high lead levels found in recalled packs of applesauce puree that has resulted in illnesses in at least 34 children across 22 states. This revelation was made on Friday.
It was mentioned by the agency that there have been no additional instances of illness or increased blood lead levels associated with the commonly used spice in festive baking. A pack of Wanabana apple cinnamon puree obtained from a Dollar Tree store was found to have lead levels exceeding 200. Officials stated that the proposed guidelines from the FDA would allow several multiples of this limit.
Joan Slavin, a food science professor at the University of Minnesota, stated that the agency does not set specific thresholds for heavy metals, including lead, in spices.
She indicated that consumers should be mindful that cinnamon might contain lead, contrasting the FDA’s announcement on Friday, which asserted that there is no evidence that cinnamon products other than applesauce are impacted.
She said, “I would not want to alarm individuals by suggesting that using cinnamon in your pumpkin pie makes you a bad grandmother.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed that ailments associated with the pouches have been documented in kids between the ages of 1 and 3, with at least one child experiencing blood lead levels eight times higher than the level of concern.
While there is no secure threshold for lead exposure, the CDC employs a benchmark of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels than most others. The affected children’s blood lead levels ranged from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.
The recalled fruit items encompass Wanabana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree sachets and Schnucks & Weis brand cinnamon applesauce. These were retailed at Dollar Tree, Amazon, and other internet stores.
Health authorities recommended that children who might have consumed the product undergo lead level testing. Kids who became unwell have reported headaches, queasiness, retching, diarrhea, and anemia, although it’s common for children to display no symptoms.
Lead exposure can result in severe learning, cognitive, and behavioral issues. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, heavy metals such as lead can find their way into food products from soil, air, water, or industrial operations.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
