CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Concern about lead contamination prompted the Virginia-based parent company of Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores to recall apple sauce pouches. In an earlier alert, in October, Federal regulators reported that 500 children had been sickened by lead-laced cinnamon. No illnesses were reported the new recall, but the same cinnamon was cited as an ingredient in the apple sauce. The recall included 15,000 “dollar” stores, which are ubiquitous, as well as other discount retailers. The ground cinnamon products in the new recall had lead levels of 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million — far lower than the earlier-recalled purees, which chad as much as 5,110 parts per million. Long-term exposure can contribute to learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties and lower IQs in children.
