Hundreds of American children were exposed to dangerous levels of lead through contaminated applesauce pouches last year, showcasing serious flaws in the food safety system.
In short:
- Lead contamination in cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches was traced back to a spice grinder in Ecuador, affecting children in 44 states.
- Despite the rapid recall of three million pouches, documents reveal the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other safety checks failed to catch the contamination early.
- The incident highlights the limitations of the FDA's authority and the global food supply chain's complexities.
Key quote:
"It’s amazing in a bad sense what a catastrophic failure this was. Largely, the food supply regulatory system is based on an honor system."
— Neal Fortin, director of the Institute for Food Laws and Regulations at Michigan State University.
Why this matters:
Lead poisoning is a devastating and overlooked global health crisis. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems, including developmental issues in children, such as lower IQ and hyperactivity, and health problems in adults, like high blood pressure and kidney damage.
