CRIME
Ecuadorian Suspect Named In Lead Poisoning Of Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce
FDA
Authorities in Ecuador have identified a suspect believed to be responsible for the lead-tainted cinnamon used in applesauce that poisoned more than 400 people across the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in an update Tuesday.
Investigators with Ecuador’s Agencia Nacional de Regulación, Control y Vigilancia Sanitaria (ARCSA) identified Carlos Aguilera, a cinnamon grinder, as the likely source of lead contamination, and said he is no longer in operation, the FDA said.
Aguilera processed the ground cinnamon supplied by Ecuadorian distributor Negasmart to Austrofoods, which was later used in the recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis brand applesauce products sold in the U.S. According to ARCSA, the unprocessed cinnamon sticks sourced from Sri Lanka and were found to have no lead contamination.
Federal authorities have previously speculated that the lead poisonings could be intentional, theorizing possible economically motivated adulteration of the cinnamon.
But the FDA said it has limited authority over foreign ingredient suppliers who do not directly ship product to the U.S., and cannot take direct action against Negasmart or Aguilera.
During the course of the investigation into the lead contamination, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found high levels of chromium, another heavy metal.
According to the CDC, at least 413 confirmed and suspected cases of lead poisoning have been linked to the tainted applesauce in 43 states. Most of the cases were reported in young children with a median age of around two years old.
Lead exposure may have no apparent acute symptoms, according to the CDC, but even low levels of lead are associated with learning and behavior problems, hearing and speech problems, and slowed growth and development. High levels of lead may lead to acute lead poisoning symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, anemia, weakness and fatigue, or severe neurological symptoms such as seizures, encephalopathy, and coma
Health officials are warning consumers not to eat, sell, or serve recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis-brand apple cinnamon pouches, and to discard them.
TMX contributed to this article.
