FDA reports 34 illnesses linked to recalled fruit puree pouches, lead levels more than 200 times greater than FDA guidelines
More people are reporting getting sick from applesauce with high levels of lead.
Schnucks-branded pouches sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores and Weis-branded pouches sold at Weis grocery stores are being recalled, in addition to WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree sold by multiple retailers, including Sam’s Club, Amazon and Dollar Tree, that were recalled last month.
As of Nov. 16, there have been 34 reports of illness potentially linked to the recall of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree and two other similar products.
According to the FDA, the level detected in the FDA sample of WanaBana apple cinnamon puree is 2.18 parts per million (ppm). For context, that's more than 200 times greater than the action level the FDA has proposed in draft guidance for fruit purees and similar products intended for babies and young children.
The FDA’s leading hypothesis is that the cinnamon used in these recalled pouches is the likely source of contamination. However, the FDA has not yet been able to collect and test samples of the cinnamon used in the recalled products. The FDA is continuing to work with Ecuadorian authorities to investigate the source of the cinnamon.
At this time, the FDA is not aware of any other reports of illnesses or elevated blood lead level adverse events reported for other cinnamon-containing products or cinnamon.
The Food And Drug Administration said consumers should not eat, sell or serve recalled WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis brand apple cinnamon pouches and should discard them. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed the recalled pouches should seek a blood test from a health care provider.
The announcement comes after a joint investigation by the NCDHHS, local health departments, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the FDA.
According to NCDHHS, the pouches were identified as a potential shared source of exposure following several cases of elevated blood lead levels in children in western NC.
NCDHHS said as part of their investigation, the department analyzed multiple lots of products detecting extremely high concentrations of lead.
After reviewing the NCDHHS’ findings, the FDA issued a voluntary recall of all WanaBanana apple-cinnamon fruit puree pouches, regardless of lot code or expiration. WanaBana also agreed to voluntarily recall the products.
The pouches can be found in various stores including Sam’s Club, Amazon and Dollar Tree.
In an update on Friday, the FDA said seven cases of adverse events have been found in five states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri and North Carolina.
A Wake Forest family has filed a lawsuit after high levels of lead were caught during their 1-year-old's regularly scheduled checkup.
The suit says the lead content of the girl’s blood was 20 mcg/dL. A normal level should be less than 3.5 mcg/dL. They said their child consumed dozens of pouches of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree.
