Published by Update: More Lead Poisoning Cases Linked to Contaminated Applesauce
November 22, 2023 - At least 52 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, according to Forbes [2.].
FDA said the contaminated pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree were manufactured in Ecuador and sold under WanaBana, Weis and Schnucks brands, in 25 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.
WanaBana Issues Nationwide Recall of Apple Cinnamon Fruit Pouches
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, according to an FDA Press Release [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:
| Batch | Units | Batch | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10022:21 | 33165 | 01023:03 | 48735 | |
| 11022: 08 | 22185 | 01023:17 | 62235 | |
| 11022:09 | 23730 | 01023:23 | 67590 | |
| 11022:10 | 33420 | 01023:27 | 60975 | |
| 11022:12 | 12120 | 01023:30 | 101205 | |
| 11022:14 | 29025 | 01023:31 | 99180 | |
| 11022:15 | 32085 | 02023:07 | 84780 | |
| 11022:16 | 34860 | 02023:18 | 129600 | |
| 12022:23 | 64170 | 04023:23 | 96090 | |
| 04023:24 | 138240 | |||
| 04023:25 | 64395 | |||
| 04023:26 | 68805 | |||
| 05023:08 | 85950 | |||
| 05023:09 | 101520 | |||
| 05023:10 | 89460 | |||
| 05023:11 | 95535 | |||
| 05023:15 | 88605 | |||
| 10022:31 | 33165 |
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
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.
Young children are particularly at risk because they can absorb 4 to 5 times as much lead as adults, according to the World Health Organization [3.].
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See all related food poisoning lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
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 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.
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