FDA says hands tied after suspect named in applesauce lead poisonings

[Backseat Driver]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fda-says-hands-tied-suspect-211949390.html

CBS News
FDA says hands tied after suspect named in applesauce lead poisonings
Alexander Tin
Updated Fri, February 9, 2024 at 5:10 AM EST·3 min read


FDA says hands tied after suspect named in applesauce lead poisonings
Authorities in Ecuador have named a suspect in their investigation of now-recalled lead-tainted applesauce, which has been linked to poisonings of more than 400 Americans across 43 states, the Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday — but U.S authorities have "limited authority" to take steps against him.

Ecuador's authorities allege that Carlos Aguilera, a cinnamon grinder in Ecuador, is "the likely source" of the poisonings, the FDA said in an update, noting that the investigation by the Agencia Nacional de Regulación, Control y Vigilancia Sanitaria and legal proceedings to determine responsibility for the contamination are still ongoing.

U.S. authorities have said for months that they suspected that the lead poisonings could be intentional, saying one of the theories they were pursuing was that it was the result of "economically motivated adulteration" of the cinnamon used in the applesauce.

"FDA's investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses," the agency said in its statement. [snip]

[marybourg]

1. Yup, paid by weight, and lead is heavier

than cinnamon.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. The term "adulteration" needs to be strongly emphasized in preference to "contamination".

Adulteration is deliberate, usually in an attempt to charge full value for a cheaper "substitute". Contamination may be accidental, even unavoidable, and not always particularly harmful, depending on the contaminant and the way the product is used.

The infamous case of infant formula poisonings in China several years ago was a case of adulteration -- sellers were paid for nitrogen content based on the simple-minded standard that more nitrogen content meant more protein, when really it could be almost any kind of nitrogen. Toxic, nitrogen-rich industrial waste was cheaper than protein but brought the same profits while deceiving parents who unwittingly poisoned their children.

There seems to be a certain class of fraudsters who have realized that it's easier to get away with adulterating products served to children.