FDA warns Dollar Tree for failing to remove recalled children's snacks

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week sent a warning letter to Dollar Tree Inc after an investigation found the company failed to recall a children's snack that contained high levels of lead and chromium 45 days after being notified of the recall.

According to the FDA, Wanabana issued a voluntary recall for its Apple Cinnamon fruit puree pouches on October 29, 2023, after investigations found the product contained “extremely high concentrations of lead.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children in 44 states have had possible or confirmed increased lead levels in their blood after eating applesauce pouches marketed to them.

The outbreak was declared over in April.

Cinnamon products sold at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar contain elevated lead levels, FDA says.

While Wanabana issued a voluntary recall on October 29, Dollar Tree was notified of the recall in writing the same day, since they sold the recalled product.

“In the weeks and months that followed, state and local partners in multiple states continued to report the presence of the recalled Wanabana pouches on Dollar Tree store shelves, and FDA requested and worked closely with partners to have such product removed or destroyed whenever it was found,” the FDA told Dollar Tree in its letter.

As a result, the FDA initiated a recall audit check (RAC) at Dollar Tree stores, and it was determined that between November 10 and December 19, Dollar Tree still had Wanabana products in its stores.

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The FDA reported in its letter that it had held several meetings with Dollar Tree to discuss the product recall, during which the company said it would withdraw the product.

The letter alleges that Dollar Tree programmed its cash registers to not allow the item to be sold, but the FDA says that wasn't enough.

In fact, a consumer filed a complaint that they were shopping with their child at a Dollar Tree store in Kitsap County, Washington, and they let their child eat a fruit pouch from the shelf before paying. When the consumer went to pay, they were not allowed to pay for the product due to the recall.

The recalled applesauce products were still available in some stores in mid-December, despite rising lead concerns

“Despite numerous efforts to bring this serious issue to your attention, your company continued to sell adulterated Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches in stores, putting children at risk of exposure to these adulterated products,” the FDA wrote.

Now, the FDA has ordered Dollar Tree to provide in writing within 15 days what specific steps the company has taken to remedy any violations or face legal action.

A Dollar Tree spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the company is committed to selling quality food and products, maintaining a safe environment for associates and customers, and complying with all laws and regulations.

The spokesperson said that with the company now under new management, Dollar Tree will have to take steps to enhance and strengthen its compliance and safety programs. This includes recalling products quickly and effectively, the spokesperson said.

“We continue to evolve and enhance our efforts to prevent and detect violations, and when a compliance issue arises, we strive to remediate it promptly and completely,” the spokesperson said.

Regarding the recalled product, Dollar Tree said it took immediate action to recall Wanabana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches through October 2023 as soon as it was notified of the recall.

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“We continue to cooperate with the FDA on this matter,” the spokesperson said.

FOX Business reached out to Wanabana for comment but did not receive a response.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.