Expanded Recall of Children’s Fruit Puree Due to Lead Poisoning Concerns

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An ongoing federal investigation is now looking into a wider range of children’s apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches following additional illness reports and more product recalls linked to potential lead contamination.

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted the public to seven reported cases of illness spanning at least five states, potentially associated with the consumption of the contaminated puree.

Recently, Schnucks Markets from St. Louis and Weis Markets from Sunbury, Pennsylvania, issued recalls for specific batches of their cinnamon applesauce products due to the risk of elevated lead levels. This follows an earlier recall by WanaBana, based in Coral Gables, Florida, which pulled all lots and expiration dates of its apple cinnamon fruit puree from shelves.

FDA officials have cautioned that consumption of these affected products may lead to “acute toxicity.” They have advised parents and other caretakers to refrain from purchasing or serving the recalled cinnamon applesauce products available at various retailers, including Amazon, Dollar Tree, and grocery stores like Schnucks and Eatwell Markets.

The FDA recommends that children and others who might have consumed the recalled puree undergo testing for lead poisoning.

The probe was initiated after North Carolina health authorities connected four cases of children with elevated lead levels in their blood to the WanaBana brand. Tests conducted on various batches revealed dangerously high lead content, which were subsequently corroborated by the FDA.

The FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network is spearheading the investigation, working alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local health departments.

Lead exposure poses a significant risk to individuals of all ages, but it can be particularly detrimental to children, impacting their brain, nervous system, growth, and development. The FDA emphasized the importance of testing children for lead as many may not exhibit immediate symptoms. Exposure to lead, even in the short term, can lead to a range of health issues such as headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, and anemia.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, heavy metals like lead may contaminate food through environmental sources like soil, air, water, or through certain industrial practices. They underscore that no level of lead exposure is considered safe for children.

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The Health and Science Department at The Big Big News has received backing from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science and Educational Media. The content herein is fully the responsibility of The Big Big News.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lead-contaminated puree recall

More about Lead-contaminated puree recall

• FDA Lead Contamination Warning
• CDC Lead Poisoning Information
• AAP Policy on Lead Exposure in Children
• Lead in Food, Foodwares, and Dietary Supplements