Connecticut Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit (2024 Update)

Quick Summary

• Recent findings of lead in certain Connecticut applesauce brands have sparked a recall and ensuing lawsuit.
• This article addresses your immediate concerns: identifying which products are unsafe, understanding the health risks associated with lead consumption, and detailing how to participate in the Connecticut Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit if you’ve been affected.
• If you or a loved one has suffered from lead contamination due to applesauce consumption, the law firm of Schmidt & Clark, LLP is at your service. With a strong reputation in advocating for plaintiffs, our foremost aim is to help you secure the justice and financial compensation to which you are entitled.

How S&C Can Help With Your Claim?

S&C can help with your claim by offering expert legal assistance during such a daunting crisis. Our renowned law firm specializes in complex lawsuits, including those involving product liability and food contamination.

Our team of attorneys has a deep understanding of the legal intricacies and will guide you every step of the way as you file a claim to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.

In addition to providing legal advice, S&C also offers support in gathering the necessary evidence for your claim. This includes:

• Medical records indicating elevated blood lead levels
• Purchase receipts of the contaminated applesauce products
• Any other relevant documentation that could strengthen your case

Our goal is to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for the harm caused by the contaminated applesauce products, which may have involved negligence in health and human services.

Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit

The Connecticut applesauce recall lead lawsuit stems from the discovery of elevated lead levels in certain brands of applesauce pouches. The products were recalled after the FDA found unsafe lead content in the applesauce, linked to deliberately altered cinnamon.

According to the FDA notice since December 29, 2023, there have been at least 287 reports of elevated blood lead levels potentially linked to the recalled applesauce pouches [1].

These reports have been documented across 37 states. This discovery has led to a growing number of lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors of these products.

What Is Applesauce Contamination?

Applesauce contamination is the term used to describe the infiltration of dangerous substances, such as lead, into applesauce products. The primary brands involved in the Connecticut applesauce recall are WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches and Weis Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches.

These brands were found to have elevated lead levels, posing significant health risks to consumers, especially children who are more vulnerable to lead poisoning.

In addition to WanaBana and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce, other brands subject to the recall include Schnucks cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches.

The high lead levels in these products were likely caused by contaminated cinnamon, which was used as an ingredient in the applesauce. This contamination has led to a massive recall of these products and the ensuing lawsuit.

WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée products, including the popular Wanabana apple cinnamon puree, were sold nationwide at Dollar Tree and through online channels like Amazon. This means that consumers across the country could have potentially purchased and consumed these contaminated products. The widespread distribution of these products has made the recall a nationwide concern.

In addition to Dollar Tree and Amazon, the contaminated products were identified for sale at several Dollar Tree stores across multiple states. This further expands the scope of the recall and the potential number of consumers who may have been exposed to the lead-contaminated applesauce.

Reasons Behind The Recall

The primary reason behind the recall of these applesauce products was the detection of elevated lead levels. A lawsuit has been filed against an applesauce maker and Dollar Tree, alleging their failure to ensure the safety of applesauce pouches before distribution. The products in question are believed to have caused lead poisoning in children, necessitating lifelong treatment.

The contamination of the applesauce products is believed to have originated from the cinnamon used in the recipe. Investigations have identified an Ecuadorian cinnamon processor as the probable source of contamination. The cinnamon supplied by this processor was used in the production of WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches, which were later found to have elevated lead levels.

Further testing of ground cinnamon products from discount retail stores revealed elevated lead levels, confirming the role of lead contamination in this crisis. This revelation underscores the importance of stringent quality control measures in the food manufacturing process to prevent such incidents.

According to Food Quality and Safety, the cinnamon implicated in the contamination was processed in Ecuador and used by Austrofoods to create cinnamon apple puree. It was then used in the cinnamon applesauce pouches that were part of the recall [2].

Initial findings suggest that the cinnamon was uncontaminated when it was sourced from Sri Lanka, but it got contaminated during processing in Ecuador.

In response to incidents like these, the FDA is planning to increase its oversight of imported products for disease control. It has committed to dedicating $1 million to expanding its foreign offices, aiming to prevent such food safety incidents in the future. This move signifies the critical importance of monitoring imported food products to ensure the safety of consumers.

Side Effects of The Applesauce Lead Poisoning

The consumption of lead-contaminated applesauce pouches can lead to lead poisoning. This serious health condition can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and damage to the nervous system, particularly in children.

Lead poisoning can result in numerous symptoms including:

• Hypertension
• Brain, kidney, and reproductive health issues
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Neuromuscular abnormalities
• Neurological symptoms

Children exposed to lead may exhibit symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Anemia
• Irritability
• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Constipation
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscular weakness
• Weight loss

Testing for lead exposure in children is crucial because prolonged exposure can cause irreversible damage to a child’s developing brain and nervous system. A blood test can help identify if a child has been exposed to lead.

The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on the level of lead exposure. It’s important to note that there is no known safe threshold for lead exposure, emphasizing the risks even at low levels of exposure.

Treatment for lead poisoning includes elimination of lead exposure and chelation therapy for severe cases. However, severe long-term effects of lead poisoning, such as brain damage and cognitive impairments, can be irreversible.

These critical factors can be considered in compensation claims for affected individuals, highlighting the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if lead poisoning is suspected.

Children get lead in their bodies by putting the lead-containing objects in their mouths. Touching the lead and then putting their fingers in their mouths may also poison them. Lead is more harmful to children because their brains and nervous systems are still developing – Jacquelyn Cafasso, Market Research Manager (Pharma) at MMIT

How Do You Qualify for an Applesauce Lead Lawsuit?

To qualify for an applesauce lead lawsuit, you must have a child who has been diagnosed with lead toxicity potentially linked to the consumption of a recalled WanaBana applesauce pouch.

Substantial evidence is essential, including medical records showing high lead levels in the blood, retaining unopened contaminated applesauce pouches, keeping any used pouches, collecting account statements or receipts, and compiling the child’s medical records to support a claim in an applesauce lead lawsuit.

The Status Of The Applesauce Lead Poisoning Litigation in Connecticut

As of now, there have been 404 reports from 43 states of potential lead poisoning linked to the fruit pouches, with nearly 100 confirmed cases. The recall was prompted by the detection of lead and a high level of chromium, which is potentially toxic, in the applesauce products.

The CDC advises those in possession of the recalled applesauce pouches not to consume them but to dispose of them or return them for a refund.

Class action lawsuits enable affected individuals from the applesauce recall to pursue joint legal action against the responsible parties.

By joining a class action lawsuit, victims could potentially receive financial compensation for medical expenses, suffering, and other losses due to the contaminated applesauce pouches.

Applesauce Lead Poisoning Settlement Amounts in Connecticut

Victims of the contaminated applesauce could potentially receive settlements or financial compensation for damages such as pain, suffering, and medical expenses resulting from the lead-contaminated applesauce.

This can help alleviate the financial burden associated with medical treatments and other unexpected costs that may arise due to lead poisoning.

Moreover, victims could potentially receive lifelong compensation for medical treatment due to lead poisoning. The amount of compensation can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the lead poisoning, the extent of the damages incurred, and the specific circumstances of each case.

Filing an Applesauce Lead Poisoning Lawsuit in Connecticut

Parents whose children were diagnosed with lead poisoning after consuming certain brands of applesauce pouches are eligible to file lawsuits in all 50 states, including Connecticut. The process of filing a lawsuit can be complex and daunting, but with the help of experienced attorneys, you can navigate through it with confidence.

Types of Evidence To Present

In a lead poisoning lawsuit, presenting substantial evidence is crucial to building a strong case.

This may include:

• Medical records indicating a child’s blood lead level of 3.5 µg/dL or higher within three months of consuming a recalled brand fruit puree product after November 2022
• Purchase receipts of the contaminated applesauce products
• Records of property inspections identifying lead hazards
• Witness statements

What is the Statute of Limitations for the Applesauce Lead Poisoning Lawsuit in Connecticut?

The statute of limitations for the applesauce lead poisoning lawsuit in Connecticut is generally two years from the date the injury occurred was discovered or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence.

Moreover, there is also a three-year maximum limit from the date of the negligent act or omission, irrespective of when the injury was actually discovered.

Related Articles:

• New Jersey Applesauce Recall Lead Attorney
• Maryland Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit
• North Carolina Applesauce Recall Lead Lawsuit

See all related food poisoning lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get Your Free Consultation From Connecticut Lead Poisoning Lawyers

At Schmidt & Clark, LLP we stand by your side in these difficult moments. Should you or someone close to you be impacted by lead contamination from applesauce, we encourage you to get in touch.

Our attorneys are well-versed in such matters and will steer you through every stage of the legal process. We’re committed to clarifying your legal rights and determining if you have a viable claim related to the applesauce lead issue.

Our initial consultation is offered at no cost, and our fees are contingent upon securing a victory in your case. We commit to caring for you as we would our own family members, so we invite you to contact us for a comprehensive review of your situation with applesauce lead contamination.

Reference:

1. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023
2. https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/ecuadorian-cinnamon-supplier-identified-in-applesauce-related-lead-outbreak/