FDA: Dollar Tree left lead-tainted applesauce pouches on store shelves for weeks after recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Government officials say Dollar Tree stores failed to effectively recall lead-tainted applesauce pouches linked to illness in more than 500 children.

Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to Dollar Tree officials and placed the Ecuadorian distributor of WanaBana apple cinnamon pouches under multiple import alerts.

The FDA says pouches remained on some Dollar Tree shelves for two months after a recall of the products found to be contaminated with high levels of lead and chromium.

Hundreds of children in 44 states reported high blood levels after eating the pouches marketed for toddlers.