The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which includes both Republicans and Democrats, has expressed worry over the possibility of deliberate contamination in the recalled applesauce products. As a result, the FDA has been asked to deliver a full briefing by February 2nd. Considering the FDA’s limited power over foreign-sourced components like cinnamon, the legislators stress the significance of knowing the agency’s tactics for detecting and correcting deliberate contamination in the food supply chain.
Pouches of applesauce from the labels WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis, all made by Austrofood of Ecuador, are the subject of the contamination accusations. The cinnamon supply chain, which begins at Negasmart and ends at Austrofoods, has been the center of an FDA investigation into the possibility of economically driven adulteration due to the elevated lead levels detected in these products. Nevertheless, further research is necessary before drawing any conclusions.
In the US, over 60 children younger than six have tested positive for lead poisoning, highlighting the seriousness of the problem. Following the original recall in November due to high blood lead levels in four children, the FDA has received 90 verified complaints or reports of adverse events that may be associated with the tainted applesauce pouches as of January 22nd.
There is a lot of pressure on the FDA to answer essential questions about the inquiry and their safety procedures within the next week. The FDA needs to lay out what happened before the lead contamination in the applesauce brands was found, how they concluded that the raw cinnamon adulteration might have been deliberate, how they worked with partner agencies both at home and abroad, especially in Ecuador, to conduct their thorough investigation, and what they did to find out if other foods were contaminated because of this weakness in the supply chain.
A product liability lawsuit gives those hurt by tainted goods a chance to get their money back.
