The FDA reported that on November 30, 2023, Austrofood, along with Wanabana USA, the distributor of WanaBana products in the US, released a statement that reports that Wanabana has conducted a root cause investigation. Based on this investigation, the firm’s leading hypothesis is that the cinnamon is the source of the elevated lead levels in the recalled products. The statement released by Wanabana USA and Austrofood states that the cinnamon used to manufacture the recalled products was supplied by Negocios Asociados Mayoristas S.A., operating as Negasmart, a third-party distribution company located in Ecuador. The FDA is working with Ecuadorian authorities to investigate if the cinnamon in the recalled products was used in other products or distributed as a raw ingredient to other countries. FDA has confirmed that Negasmart does not import cinnamon directly into the US. As of November 30, 2023, there have been 57 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products submitted to the FDA. To date, confirmed complainants are less than 1 to 5 years of age. FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
