Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches Recalled by the FDA and CDC After 22 Children Hospitalized with Lead Poisoning.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued an emergency recall for cinnamon applesauce pouches after 22 children were hospitalized with lead poisoning.
The recall includes the following products:
- WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches
- Schnucks cinnamon flavored applesauce pouches
- Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches
These products have been sold at the following stores:
- Amazon
- Dollar Tree
- Schnucks grocery stores
- Eatwell Markets grocery stores
- Weis grocery stores
The FDA is advising consumers not to eat these products and to discard them immediately. Parents should also check their pantries and make sure they do not have any of these recalled products.
The CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to clinicians and health departments to be aware of illnesses that could be linked to lead exposure from these products.
The first report of lead poisoning from these products was published on October 28. Since then, 22 children, aged one to three years old, have been linked to these products. The children had blood lead levels of four to 29 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). In typical children, zero to four (µg/dL) is considered very little, and five to 14 (µg/dL) is considered high, which requires action. Levels of 15 to 44 (µg/dL) are very high and require immediate action.
These products were not only sold in the United States. The FDA has notified Cuba and the United Arab Emirates of the recall, and the following states are included in the recall:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
Consumers in these countries and states should not eat cinnamon applesauce pouches from the brands listed above and should discard them immediately.
Symptoms of lead toxicity
The symptoms of lead toxicity can vary from person to person. Short-term exposure can lead to headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, and anemia. Long-term exposure can lead to irritability, fatigue, muscle aches, constipation, muscle weakness, tremors, and weight loss. Lead exposure can also cause learning, behavioral, and cognitive deficits.
If you think your child may have been exposed to lead
If you think your child may have been exposed to lead, you should report the incident to the FDA and also do the following;
- Contact your healthcare provider immediately. They can order a blood lead test to determine if your child has been exposed to lead and, if so, how much lead they have been exposed to.
- Identify the source of the lead exposure. This will help your healthcare provider and other professionals develop a plan to reduce or eliminate your child’s exposure.
- Take steps to reduce your child’s exposure to lead. This may include removing lead-based paint from your home, replacing lead pipes, or using lead-free paint and dust control measures.
- Monitor your child’s blood lead levels. Your healthcare provider may recommend follow-up blood lead tests to ensure that your child’s lead levels are decreasing.
Here are some additional tips for reducing your child’s exposure to lead:
- Wash your child’s hands often, especially before eating.
- Avoid eating food that has been cooked in lead-glazed pottery.
- Avoid eating dirt and dust.
- Keep your child’s toys and other belongings clean.
- Have your home tested for lead-based paint if it was built before 1978.
Lead exposure can have a serious impact on the central nervous system, and children are especially vulnerable.
Ongoing investigation
The FDA is continuing to investigate this outbreak and will provide updates as they become available.
Call to action
Consumers should not eat cinnamon applesauce pouches from the brands listed above. Parents should check their pantries and discard any of these recalled products. If you think your child may have been exposed to lead, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
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