FDA warns Dollar Tree Inc. for its failure to remove recalled applesauce from its stores

FDA warns Dollar Tree Inc. for its failure to remove recalled applesauce from its stores, The FDA has sent a warning letter to Dollar Tree Inc. due to the failure to take back recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches related to an outbreak of lead poisoning among children.

“. . . At the time of the recall, the company failed to adequately remove the recalled pouches of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree from store shelves. In the weeks and months that followed, the manufacturer did so voluntarily to remind of apple cinnamon fruit puree bags, public health officials in many states reported they continued to see recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree bags on Dollar Tree store shelves,” according to an outbreak update from the Food and Drug Administration.

The lead poisoning outbreak in the fall and winter of 2023 sickened at least 519 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak spanned 44 states. The FDA collected 90 reports of “side effects” during the outbreak. The two agencies use different reporting methods, so their figures may overlap somewhat and should not be added together.

When a food product is recalled, retailers play a critical role in conducting the recall by ensuring that recalled products are not available to consumers in their stores, the FDA said.

“The agency is concerned about Dollar Tree’s ability to quickly remove unsafe products from store shelves when necessary and when necessary during a public health threat such as a recall,” the FDA wrote in its update.

“The FDA has asked the company to respond within 15 days of receiving the warning letter stating the specific steps it has taken to address any violations and prevent recurrence of violations, or to provide reasons and supporting information about why the company believes this to be the case. not contrary to the law.”

In addition to the warning letter to Dollar Tree Inc. the FDA continues its supervision of foreign companies and imported foods, including through more intensive and targeted import screening. The agency also placed Negasmart, doing business as Sanchez Obando Alexander Ricardo, the distributor of the cinnamon used in the contaminated applesauce products, on multiple import alerts, including Import alert 99-47 regarding products that appear to have been adulterated for economic gain and Import Alert – 99-42 for products contaminated with heavy metals that appear to be adulterated under section 402(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Import alerts are tools the FDA uses when the agency has sufficient evidence to permit detention without physical examination of products that appear to violate the FD&C Act.

While the FDA has no indication that Negasmart/Sanchez Obando Alexander Ricardo is attempting to import products, the import alerts will ensure that any attempt by the company to import products is flagged for FDA reviewers before shipments enter the U.S. and reach consumers. . Following the WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches recall and the FDA investigation, the FDA also added Austrofood SAS, the manufacturer of the apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches, to Import Alert 99-42.

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