LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As more cases involving lead poisoning in children’s food are unveiled, the Michigan Attorney General is joining a coalition of state attorneys general demanding new regulations to keep it out of baby food products.

Who is part of the coalition?

AG Dana Nessel signed onto a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take swift action.

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“It is crucial to the health of our children that manufacturers test their products for heavy metals before marketing them, particularly foods for infants and toddlers,” Nessel said.

The coalition cited many recent cases of childhood lead poisoning linked to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches sold nationwide.

“The number of adverse events connected to these now-recalled products is unacceptable and so are the FDA’s delays in issuing guidance on this matter to the food manufacturing industry,” Nessel added. “I stand firmly with my colleagues in urging the FDA to act to protect our most vulnerable residents.”

Widespread childhood lead poisonings triggers recalls.

The coalition’s letter draws attention to the recent widespread childhood lead poisonings related to high levels of lead detected in WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches that were not tested for toxic metals and have since been recalled.

WanaBana pouches were sold in Dollar Tree stores throughout the country. The Centers for Disease Control has identified nearly 400 confirmed or probable childhood lead poisoning cases connected to consumption of these cinnamon applesauce pouches according to the office of Nessel.

AG Nessel joins the following in sending this letter to the FDA, including the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

FDA announces “Closer to Zero” plan.

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In April 2021, the agency announced its “Closer to Zero” plan which committed to proposing “action levels” for lead in various baby foods by the following April, inorganic arsenic in various baby foods by April 2024, and cadmium and mercury sometime after this year. However, these goals were removed from the website.

AG Nessel previously joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a petition to the FDA in October 2021 seeking the FDA to expedite guidance on testing for lead and other toxic metals in finished baby and toddler food products.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Takes Action:

In early January, the MDHHS warned against the recalled brands encouraging caution among possible consumers.

“Anyone that has consumed these products should contact their health care provider to discuss blood lead testing,” MDHHS said in a Facebook Post. “Children, infants and fetuses are most at risk of health problems from lead.”

Previously, the FDA recommended consumers follow several steps for safety.

  • Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis-brand apple cinnamon pouches and should discard them.
  • These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products.
  • To properly discard the product, consumers and retailers should carefully open the pouch and empty the content into a trash can before discarding the packaging to prevent others from salvaging recalled products from the trash.
  • Clean up any spills after discarding the product then wash your hands.Contact your healthcare provider if you think you can or your child may have symptoms of lead toxicity after eating recalled fruit pouches.