The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that Tree failed to effectively recall bags of contaminated apples that were linked to reports of illness in more than 500 children.
The FDA issued a warning letter to Dollar Tree this month and placed Negasmart, the Ecuadorian distributor of WanaBana apple and cinnamon bags, under an import warning after it recalled products contaminated with “extremely high” levels of lead and chrome.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children in 44 states have had suspected or confirmed cases of elevated blood lead levels after eating apples advertised as baby food. The outbreak was declared in April.
FDA officials last week sent a warning letter to Dollar Tree Inc. that WanaBana apple products remained on store shelves in several states until late December, two months after the company was notified of the withdrawal. Officials at the Chesapeake, Virginia-based company said they would not allow the product to be sold without a prescription, but the FDA said it was “not an effective measure” because at least one child in Washington state ate a bag of Fruit. It is necessary to get a large quantity in the store.
Dollar Tree officials said in an email Tuesday that the company is operating under new management and is taking steps to strengthen its process “to handle product recalls quickly and efficiently.” The company has more than 16,000 discount stores in 48 states.
Anyone who consumed any of the recalled products should consult a doctor, the CDC said. There is no safe level of lead intake that can cause serious learning and behavioral problems, the agency emphasized.
Spreads include those sold under the WanaBana brand in Dollar Tree stores and online and under the Schnucks and Weis brands in stores. Since they have a long shelf life, they can still be found in home closets. Consumers should not eat or serve the contents of the packages and throw them in the trash.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Division is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Education Media Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.
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