Nearly two dozen toddlers sickened by lead linked to tainted applesauce pouches, CDC says
- At least 22 toddlers in 14 US states have become ill due to lead-in applesauce bags
- The FDA has recalled WanaBana apple-cinnamon fruit puree pouches, Schnucks brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and Weis brand cinnamon-apple sauce pouches
- The recall is not limited to the US and has been extended to Cuba and the UAE
- Parents are advised to have their child tested for lead blood if they suspect toxicity
The Food Department Administration has recalled several brand-name pouches of applesauce after parents of nearly two dozen toddlers reported that their children had become ill.
At least 22 toddlers in 14 states became ill from lead poisoning contaminated bags of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce.
Children between one and three years old were affected. At least one child showed blood lead levels eight times higher than the level of concern Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Health officials are now warning doctors and healthcare providers to be alert to 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 were found in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Brands include WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit puree and Schnucks and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce sachets. The products were sold in stores and online
Products from these brands can be found in Amazon, Dollar Tree, Schnucks and Eatwell Markets supermarkets, Weis supermarkets and multiple 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 has recalled WanaBana apple-cinnamon fruit puree pouches, Schnucks brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches, and several Weis brand cinnamon-apple sauce packages and pouches.
Products from these brands can be found in Amazon, Dollar Tree, Schnucks and Eatwell Markets supermarkets, Weis supermarkets and several other online stores.
Health officials are urging parents and teachers to immediately stop using these products and return them to the place 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 cause well-documented health effects, including damage to the brain and nervous system, delayed 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-infused blood than most children. In one of the affected children, blood lead levels ranged from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.
If parents suspect their child has been exposed to high levels of lead toxicity, the FDA recommends visiting a doctor and taking a blood lead test.