Lead contaminated applesauce pouches also contained chromium, FDA says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that children who consumed the recently recalled WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches, found to be lead-contaminated, could potentially have been exposed to the heavy metal chromium as well. As a part of their ongoing investigation related to cases of lead poisoning, the FDA carried out tests on samples of the recalled product. The recall extended beyond WanaBana's cinnamon applesauce to encompass two other applesauce products made by the company, namely Schnucks' cinnamon-flavoured pouches and Weis cinnamon applesauce. By December 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had documented 287 cases of high blood lead levels tied to the pouches, from 37 states. Chromium is a metal that exists naturally in two variants, chromium 3, an essential nutrient, and chromium 6, a known carcinogen, the CDC explained. The FDA, however, due to testing constraints, could not ascertain which type of chromium was present in the recalled applesauce pouches. The ratio of lead to chromium in the samples points towards the presence of chromium 6, according to the FDA. In their analysis, the FDA found 0.590 ppm and 0.566 ppm chromium levels in two distinct samples. Dr. Laura Breeher, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, expressed concern, stating these levels exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's limit for drinking water by more than five times. Despite not setting a limit for chromium in food, the FDA would not confirm whether children exposed to chromium could face severe health problems, citing limited information concerning health impacts from the consumption of chromium 6-contaminated food. The symptoms following the ingestion of contaminated food are almost identical in children and adults and can vary greatly, ranging from no symptoms to stomach pain and vomiting. Despite her apprehension about chromium contamination, Dr. Breeher maintained that lead contamination poses a greater health risk. She advised that the human body actively counteracts toxic chromium and rapidly converts chromium 6 into the less harmful chromium 3. Parents with children affected by the recall have been urged to contact their general practitioner, as per FDA guidelines. The FDA confirmed that tests for arsenic and cadmium returned negligible results. WanaBana has yet to respond to requests for comments and has previously worked with the FDA during the investigation.