The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging consumers to exercise vigilance and avoid using withdrawn applesauce pouches due to a rising number of reported illnesses linked to lead contamination in cinnamon. A total of 57 instances of illness have been linked to apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches available under the WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks brands, impacting over half of the states.
Lead toxicity symptoms in children:
- Developmental Delays
- Learning Difficulties
- Irritability or Behavioral Changes
Despite the recall, these products are still accessible at various Dollar Tree stores across multiple states and are also available through retailers such as Amazon, Sam’s Club, and Schnucks and Weis stores. The FDA highlights the dangers of lead for individuals of all ages and health conditions, emphasizing the increased susceptibility of children to lead toxicity.
Collaborating with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local partners, the FDA is actively investigating the situation and has identified elevated blood lead levels in children who consumed the pouches. In one product sample, the detected lead level was 2.18 parts per million, surpassing the FDA’s proposed action level for products intended for infants and young children by more than 200 times.
Negasmart, a distribution company in Ecuador, has been identified as the supplier of the cinnamon linked to the heightened lead levels in the recalled products. The FDA specifies that Negasmart does not import cinnamon directly into the US, and there is no evidence suggesting that the problem extends beyond the withdrawn products.
Although establishing a direct link between lead exposure and a specific source presents challenges, the FDA confirms Negasmart’s cooperation with local authorities in the ongoing investigation. Given that lead exposure can lead to developmental delays in children, the FDA recommends blood testing for individuals who may have consumed the withdrawn products.
The manufacturers of the recalled applesauce pouches, Austrofood and Wanabana USA, are taking steps to cover healthcare costs for affected individuals and are working on establishing a website to facilitate refunds for the recalled products.
