Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit | Get the Right Lawyer

Update: FDA Finds Chromium, a Second Toxic Chemical, in Recalled Applesauce Pouches

January 8, 2024 – Children who consumed the lead-contaminated cinnamon applesauce pouches may also have been exposed to chromium, a toxic heavy metal chemical, the FDA announced on Friday.

Chromium occurs naturally in 2 forms: chromium-3, which is an essential nutrient, and chromium-6, which is a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).

Due to testing limitations, the FDA said it couldn’t determine which form of chromium was found in the recalled applesauce pouches. However, the ratio of lead to chromium identified by the samples suggested it might be chromium-6, the agency said. That’s because the lead-to-chromium ratio in the applesauce was similar to that of a chemical compound known as lead chromate, which contains both lead and chromium-6.

As of Dec. 29, 2023, the U.S. CDC had received at least 287 confirmed, probable, and suspected reports of elevated blood lead levels linked to the applesauce pouches across 37 states.

WanaBana Issues Nationwide Recall of Apple Cinnamon Fruit Pouches

According to an FDA Press Release, on October 30, 2023, WanaBana USA recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée 3-pack pouches of 2.5 oz due to reports of elevated levels of lead found in the products [1].

To date, at least 4 lead poisoning illnesses in children have been linked to WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée products, leading the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to investigate and sample the pouches.

The analyses came back with elevated concentrations of lead, which could result in acute toxicity, according to the FDA.

Products affected by the WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée recall include:

These products were distributed nationwide and are available through multiple retailers including Amazon, Dollar Tree, and other online outlets.

Fruit Pouches Recalled Over Reports of High Lead Levels: FOX News Video

Recalled Applesauce Linked to Over 200 Lead Poisoning Cases in 33 States, CDC says

According to an FDA update published on December 19, 2023 – Health authorities are currently investigating at least 205 cases of lead poisonings across 33 different states linked to contaminated applesauce [2].

The growing case count comes as the FDA continues its investigation into the source of the tainted cinnamon. The FDA has faced “limited jurisdiction” in Ecuador, where the agency says it cannot take “direct action” to investigate some of those suspected to be behind the poisonings.

State health departments reporting cases linked to tainted recalled applesauce now also include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington — along with more than 20 other states that previously reported cases.

More Lead Poisoning Cases Linked to Contaminated Applesauce

According to a Forbes publication from November 22, 2023 – At least 118 adverse events related to elevated blood lead levels in children four years old and under who consumed pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree have been reported to the FDA [3].

FDA said the contaminated pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree were manufactured in Ecuador and sold under WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks brands, in 31 U.S. states. The agency also said some pouches of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Puree are still on the shelves at several Dollar Tree stores in multiple states, and warned consumers not to buy them. The source of the contamination appears to be the cinnamon used to flavor the applesauce.

Additional Applesauce Products Recalled Over Lead Poisoning Risk

November 3, 2023 – Since the first alert was issued last week, this investigation has been transferred to the FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network for additional follow-up collaboration with the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners. Two additional brands of products are also subject to recall: Schnuck cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches.

Schnucks brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores. Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches are sold at Weis grocery stores.

Lead Poisoning Symptoms

Lead poisoning in children is an extremely serious matter. It occurs after repeated exposure to lead-containing products.

If children are around items with a high level of lead, they won’t have lead poisoning symptoms immediately. But when they do, symptoms include:

• Stomach pain
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Muscle weakness
• Seizures
• Hair loss
• Anemia (a low red blood cell count).

Long-term exposure to lead also can damage your child’s brain, kidneys, and bone marrow, which is the soft tissue inside bones.

How Did Applesauce Get Contaminated with Lead?

The FDA announced in November that it had broadened its investigation to identify the source of lead contamination. One company said the contamination may have come from the cinnamon added to the applesauce pouches.

FDA said it is not aware of Illnesses or elevated blood lead level adverse events reported for other cinnamon-containing products or cinnamon.

St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets said a supplier reported “elevated levels of lead found in the cinnamon raw material” used by Austrofood, which manufactures Schnuck applesauce pouches.

FDA Recommendation

If you purchased any applesauce products that are affected by these recalls, you should either discard them immediately or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.

Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have been exposed to lead should contact their healthcare provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

The easiest way to detect lead exposure is to test for levels of lead in the blood. While lead is toxic for anyone, it’s especially important to test for lead exposure in children because long-term lead exposure can damage a child’s brain and cause development problems.

According to the World Health Organization 2023 study, young children are particularly at risk because they can absorb 4 to 5 times as much lead as adults [4].

Related Articles:

• Schnucks Applesauce Recall Lawsuit
• Jelly Cups Recall Lawsuit
• Types of Food Poisoning That Affect Children

See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

FAQs

1. Can I File A Lawsuit If I Purchased The Contaminated Applesauce For Someone Else?

Yes, if the person who consumed the applesauce experienced health issues, they or their guardians can file a lawsuit. You can provide supporting evidence such as proof of purchase and witness testimony.

2. Can I Seek Punitive Damages In The Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit?

Yes, if the manufacturer of the contaminated applesauce acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in allowing lead contamination, you may be eligible to seek punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. These are intended to punish the manufacturer and deter similar behavior in the future.

3. Can I File A Lawsuit If I Developed Mild Symptoms From Contaminated Applesauce?

Yes, you can file a lawsuit even if your symptoms are mild. Compensation may still be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your illness.

Get a Free Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new food poisoning cases in all 50 states.

Again, if your child or other loved one developed symptoms of lead poisoning, or was otherwise sickened in any way after eating recalled applesauce products, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

References:

1. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wanabana-issues-voluntary-recall-wanabana-apple-cinnamon-fruit-puree-pouches-due-elevated-lead
2. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/11/30/52-kids-sick-after-eating-products-from-kids-applesauce-brands-recalled-over-lead-poisoning/
4. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health