- At least 22 young children in 14 states have been sickened by lead Applesauce pouches
- The FDA has recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches, Schnucks Brand Cinnamon Flavored Applesauce Pouches, and Weis Brand Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches
- The recall is not limited to the United States and has expanded to Cuba and the United Arab Emirates
- Parents are recommended to have their child tested for blood lead if they suspect poisoning
The Food and Drug Administration has recalled several brand-name bags of applesauce after parents of nearly two dozen toddlers reported their children were sick.
At least 22 young children in 14 states became ill from lead poisoning in contaminated bags of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce.
Children aged between one and three years were affected. At least one child had blood lead levels eight times higher than the worrying level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Health officials are now warning doctors and caregivers to be on the lookout for cases of lead poisoning in children.
Symptoms reported included headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a change in activity level, and anemia. Children may also experience abdominal pain and tremors.
Cases of lead exposure have been identified in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
The brands include apple cinnamon fruit puree from the WanaBana brand and cinnamon applesauce pouches from the Schnucks und Weis brand. The products were sold in stores and online
Products from these brands are available at Amazon grocery stores, Dollar Tree, Schnucks and Eatwell Markets, Weis grocery stores and several other online stores
The recall of WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis products is not limited to the United States but also includes Cuba and the United Arab Emirates
The FDA has initiated an investigation and recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches, Schnucks Brand Cinnamon Flavored Applesauce Pouches and Variety Packs, and Weis Brand Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches.
Products from these brands are available at Amazon grocery stores, Dollar Tree, Schnucks and Eatwell Markets, Weis grocery stores and several other online stores.
Health officials are urging parents and teachers to immediately stop using these products and return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.
The recall of WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis products is not limited to the United States but also includes Cuba and the United Arab Emirates.
Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health and has well-documented health effects including brain and nervous system damage, slowed growth and development, learning and behavioral problems, and hearing and speech problems.
The CDC uses a marker of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels of lead-containing blood than most. In one of the affected children, the lead level in the blood was between 4 and 29 micrograms per deciliter.
If parents suspect their child has been exposed to high levels of lead toxicity, the FDA recommends seeing a doctor and getting a blood lead test.