NEW YORK – Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. is shelling out nearly $560,000 after New York Attorney General Letitia James exposed their callous disregard for public safety. The discount chain knowingly peddled recalled, lead-contaminated children’s applesauce pouches at dozens of its New York locations, putting vulnerable kids at risk.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed that Dollar Tree received direct notification in October 2023 that WanaBana-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches – marketed to babies and young children – were subject to a nationwide recall due to dangerously high levels of lead. Despite this urgent warning, the company dragged its feet, failing to immediately block sales or fully remove the tainted products from shelves. Hundreds of contaminated pouches remained available to unsuspecting customers.
“Parents should never have to worry that the food they buy at the store could harm their children,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “Dollar Tree’s failure to act quickly after learning these products were contaminated put New York families at serious risk. My office is holding Dollar Tree accountable and forcing meaningful changes to make sure recalled and dangerous products are removed from shelves immediately going forward. I will always take action to protect New York’s children from lead poisoning.”
The OAG uncovered that Dollar Tree received an urgent notification from its supplier on the morning of October 29, 2023, detailing the nationwide recall of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches after testing revealed dangerously high lead levels. Instead of swift action, Dollar Tree delayed activating a “register lock” to prevent sales for over 24 hours. Some stores took weeks to clear the recalled products from shelves. In a particularly damning instance, Dollar Tree even fulfilled an online order with the recalled applesauce a full week after the recall began.
The negligence had real-world consequences. The OAG found Dollar Tree sold at least 226 three-pack units of the recalled applesauce in New York after receiving the recall notice, with sales continuing for days – even a week – afterward. State health data confirms dozens of New York children suffered elevated blood lead levels linked to the WanaBana cinnamon applesauce, with most families reporting purchases at Dollar Tree stores. Lead is a notorious neurotoxin, causing serious and irreversible health problems, especially in children under six.
As part of the settlement, Dollar Tree will pay $559,250 in penalties – roughly $2,474 per 3-pack unit sold after the recall notice. These funds will be directed towards strengthening lead poisoning prevention programs and expanding access to healthy, affordable food in underserved New York communities. Dollar Tree is also mandated to overhaul its recall policies, including specialized training for New York store managers. This isn’t just about money; it’s about forcing a company to prioritize safety over profit.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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