Lab Matters Summer 2024 | Page 11

FROM THE BENCH

It wasn ’ t until I received a call from a NCCLPPP investigator while still onsite collecting samples from a third household that I realized how much attention it would attract .

The investigator knew the previous results of the WanaBana fruit puree pouches , and we wanted to assess all WanaBana products related to this elevated blood lead investigation . We realized that identifying lead contamination in these new products would likely result in regulatory involvement , and we felt it necessary to get a more comprehensive assessment of the source of the lead . Was the culprit a specific lot , a flavor , or was it being leached from the packaging itself ? Since this household stocked at least four different flavors of unopened packages comprised of at least ten different lot numbers , we knew we had a good opportunity to gather comprehensive data . Ten samples were collected and analysis confirmed that lead was only found in the contents of the WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree flavor . A valuable lesson on the importance of communication with agency partners was reinforced .

A Coordinated Response

Prior to the release of the laboratory report from the third household , I was scheduled to be out of town for personal reasons . However , I have a great team consisting of ICP / MS Chemist Travis Dunbar , Inorganic Chemistry Lead Program QA Officer Kenneth Greene , and NCSLPH Manager Chris Goforth who were able to support the release of this critical data . The flurry of communication that followed was intense and emphasized the significance of the moment as the previous testing was supported by these new results . I had spent much of that week on the phone accompanying Chris and Kenneth on their work commutes and evenings at home discussing the myriad of emails and data collection for the North Carolina Division of Public Health ’ s ( NCDPH ) response to support the FDA ’ s nationwide public health advisory . I was relieved to hear FDA ’ s data review supported our results , and I felt the initial analysis cycle was complete when additional product testing was completed by the state ’ s regulatory body , the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ( NCDA & CS ).

WanaBana issued a voluntary recall of all lots of the apple cinnamon fruit puree ; FDA , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and NC Department of Health and Human Services press releases warned the public about the contaminated products ; news stories made their way across broadcast and print media ; and the investigation into the contaminated cinnamon supply continues . Thousands of children were exposed to harmful levels of lead from a seemingly innocuous source . Unchecked , this exposure would have continued . The success of NCSLPH working closely with local , state and federal partners was a critical component of the complex safeguards need to protect the public . This story demonstrates a commitment from the unsung heroes at the bench to the very altruistic goal of public service . g