ACTION REQUESTED to pull Wanabana brand Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches from Dollar Tree and Amazon locations due to high lead concentrations

Date:12/4/2023
Official Message No.:111946-12-4-2023-PHAD
Contact Info: Alan | 609-947-8595 | alan.talarsky@doh.nj.gov
Jessica | 609-802-3191 | jessica.swift@doh.nj.gov
Attachments: Yes Attachment 1

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the New Jersey Department of Health’s Public Health and Food Protection Program (PHFPP) is requesting the assistance of all local health departments to investigate all Dollar Tree, combination Dollar Tree/Dollar General stores, and Amazon fulfillment centers to determine the presence of, and then destroy or embargo the following products:

 

All lots of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches, both single pouch and 3-pack pouches, due to reports of elevated levels of lead found in certain units of the product.  To date, there have been 57 cases of elevated blood levels in children throughout the U.S.

 

The announcement of the recall of these products was issued on November 9, 2023, which may viewed here:  WanaBana Recalls WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches & Cinnamon Apple Sauce Due to Elevated Lead Levels | FDA  and the current outbreak investigation details may be viewed here:  https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023

 

FDA is asking for the following information:  Date of Visit, Store #, Address, Quantity on Shelf, Quantity in Quarantine and then any actions taken (embargo, voluntary destruction etc). A spreadsheet to facilitate obtaining this requested information is attached.

 

Please send completed spreadsheets and direct any questions to either Jessica Swift, Retail Food Project Coordinator, jessica.swift@doh.nj.gov or Alan Talarsky, Program Manager, alan.talarsky@doh.nj.gov or call 609-826-4935.

 

Thank you for your assistance in this urgent matter.


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