Health
WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis fruit puree was recalled because reported symptoms included headache, vomiting and diarrhea
Associated Press
Tuesday 14 November 2023 00:38 GMT
U.S. health officials are warning doctors to be on the lookout for possible cases of lead poisoning in children after at least 22 young children in 14 states were sickened by lead linked to contaminated bags of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce.
Children ages 1 to 3 were affected, and at least one child had blood lead levels eight times higher than the worrying level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
There is no safe limit for lead exposure, but the CDC uses a marker of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels than most. The lead content in the blood of the affected children was between 4 and 29 micrograms per deciliter.
Symptoms reported included headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a change in activity level, and anemia.
The illnesses are part of an outbreak linked to recalled pouches of fruit puree marketed to children under the brands WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée and Schnucks and Weis Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches. The products were sold in stores and online.
Parents and caregivers should not buy or serve the products, and children who may have eaten them should be tested for lead levels, experts said. They also said affected children may not show symptoms.
Lead exposure can cause serious learning and behavioral problems. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, heavy metals like lead can enter food products through soil, air, water or industrial processes.
According to the CDC, as of November 7, there were cases in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
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