Canned pears under recall due to potential lead and cadmium pollution
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of Parashore Pear Slices in 15 oz. (425 g) cans, manufactured by W.W. Industrial Group, Inc. The recall is due to potential contamination with elevated levels of lead and cadmium.
Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled product and should discard it in the trash or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. The affected lot number is Lot 3700/01172 6122J, Prod: 02/19/2024, Best by 2/19/2027. The product also has a specific UPC# of 704817164237.
The recall is part of the FDA Laboratory Flexible Funding Model program. The Maryland Department of Health discovered the heavy metal contamination through sampling. The company is continuing its investigation to determine the cause of the contamination.
Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium are toxic substances that can affect nearly every bodily system. While small exposure to lead within the U.S. population does not pose a significant public health concern, chronic exposure to these heavy metals can have serious long-term effects, particularly on children.
Chronic exposure to lead and cadmium has been linked to neurodevelopmental delays, cognitive impairments, and behavioral disorders. These toxic metals can disrupt neurological biomarkers related to neurotransmitters, interfering with normal brain development during critical early life stages, leading to lasting deficits in cognition and learning.
Infants, young children, and the developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of heavy metals that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. Symptoms of lead and cadmium poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, a child with heavy metal poisoning may not look or act sick. Heavy metal poisoning in children can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.
Exposure to high levels of lead and cadmium can cause severe health issues, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and in extreme cases, seizures or coma, even without showing obvious symptoms. As of July 22, 2025, no illnesses have been reported.
The recalled Parashore Pear Slices in juice were sold at Grocery Outlet stores across the U.S. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 516-676-9188 between 10 AM - 4 PM EDT. Preventative measures such as reducing environmental contamination, ensuring proper nutrition with protective micronutrients like selenium, and public health surveillance are critical for protecting children's long-term development. Detoxification strategies and reducing exposure sources (old paint, contaminated food and soil) are important for protecting children's long-term development.
It's important to note that everyone is exposed to some heavy metals from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water. However, efforts should be made to limit exposure, especially for children and pregnant women, to protect their long-term health and development.
- The recall of Parashore Pear Slices by the FDA is related to the health-and-wellness sector, as the product has been found to contain elevated levels of lead and cadmium, toxic substances that can affect nearly every bodily system.
- This incident emphasizes the significance of nutrition and food-and-drink safety, as high levels of heavy metals in food can cause severe health issues, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and in extreme cases, seizures or coma.
- To mitigate the effects of heavy metal exposure, lifestyle changes and preventative measures like reducing environmental contamination, ensuring proper nutrition with protective micronutrients like selenium, and public health surveillance are crucial, particularly for children and pregnant women.
