New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a $559,250 settlement with Dollar Tree over the sale of recalled applesauce products that were contaminated with lead.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the settlement stems from Dollar Tree’s handling of the recall of WanaBana-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches in October 2023. Dollar Tree received notice of the recall on the morning of October 29, 2023, but did not immediately stop sales of the product. As a result, the recalled applesauce continued to be sold in New York stores and through some online orders after the recall was issued.
Dollar Tree operates more than 300 locations in New York. The Attorney General’s Office linked the contaminated applesauce to elevated lead levels in several New York children.
Under the settlement, Dollar Tree will pay $559,250, with funds designated for lead poisoning prevention efforts and programs to increase access to healthy food in underserved communities. The company is also required to improve its recall response procedures, including faster notification systems, quicker activation of in-store sales blocks for recalled products, and enhanced recall training for store managers in New York.
Consumers who purchased the affected applesauce products are eligible for refunds and reimbursement of related healthcare costs, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
