What happened
226+Units sold after recall
TensChildren With Raised Lead
On the morning of October 29, 2023, Dollar Tree received an emergency notification from its supplier that bags of WanaBana brand cinnamon-apple fruit puree – a product marketed for infants and young children – had been recalled nationwide after tests revealed dangerously high lead levels.
According to the The New York Attorney General’s Officewhat happened next was a series of failures:
- 24+ hours delay before Dollar Tree activated registry locks to prevent sales
- Recalled products remained on the shelves dozens of stores in New York for weeks
- At least 226 units of three packs were sold in New York after the recall
- One online order was fulfilled a full week after the recall began
Why lead in baby food is important
Lead exposure in children is not something that will go away on its own. Even low lead levels in a child’s blood can lead to:
- Irreversible damage to developing brain and nervous system
- Learning disabilities and behavioral problems
- Slower growth and development
- Hearing and speech problems
According to the CDC, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. That’s why the speed at which recalls are enforced is important: every day a contaminated product remains on the shelves is another opportunity for a child to be harmed.
What Dollar Tree Should Do Now
The settlement requires Dollar Tree to review its recall and food safety procedures in New York:
- Register stop codes faster — Must be activated within hours of future recalls, not days
- Improved recall training — Store managers need better training on recall procedures
- Stronger online notification — Customer notification systems for online purchases need to be improved
- Compliance reporting — Dollar Tree must report to the attorney general’s office
The $559,250 in fines will be used to strengthen lead poisoning prevention programs and expand access to healthy, affordable food in underserved communities in New York.
The larger pattern
This isn’t the first time Dollar Tree has been called out. According to AboutLawsuits.comthe FDA issued a warning letter to Dollar Tree in June 2024, stating that the retailer was exposing children to unnecessary risk of lead poisoning by not properly disposing of the contaminated pouches.
And according to The hillat least one family has filed a lawsuit against both WanaBana and Dollar Tree over the lead contamination.
How to protect your family
- Check the FDA recall database bee FDA.gov regularly for recalled food products
- Sign up for recall alerts — The FDA, CPSC, and your state AG’s office all offer email notifications
- Don’t assume stores will bring back recalled items — This case proves that products can remain on the shelves for weeks
- Ask your pediatrician about blood tests if your child has used a recalled product
- Save receipts — Documentation helps with refund claims and potential lawsuits
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What was the Dollar Tree recall about?
In October 2023, WanaBana brand cinnamon applesauce sachets sold at Dollar Tree were recalled nationwide after tests revealed dangerously high lead levels. Dollar Tree failed to immediately remove the products from New York stores, causing sales to continue for days and even weeks after the recall.
Can I still get a refund for the recalled applesauce?
Consumers who purchased the recalled WanaBana applesauce should have already received a refund from WanaBana and limited reimbursement for healthcare costs. If you have not received a refund and believe you are eligible, contact the New York Attorney General’s Consumer Helpline at (800) 771-7755.
How do I know if my child has been affected by lead contamination?
Ask your pediatrician about a blood lead test. Symptoms of lead exposure in children can include irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, stomach pain and learning problems. However, many children with elevated lead levels do not show any obvious symptoms, which is why testing is important.
Is Dollar Tree still selling recalled products?
The recalled WanaBana products are no longer allowed on the shelves. As part of the settlement, Dollar Tree must implement faster recall procedures in the future. However, this case shows that consumers should independently check the FDA’s recall database rather than assuming that stores have withdrawn all recalled items.
(Source: New York Attorney General’s Office)
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