Federal authorities are urgently warning consumers not to eat, sell, or serve multiple brands of apple cinnamon fruit pouches due to an ongoing investigation into elevated lead levels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is leading the investigation and has issued a recall for several products.
Products and Brands Affected
The recalled products include WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis-brand apple cinnamon fruit puree and applesauce pouches. Lot codes and UPCs can be found in the company’s recall announcement.
WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches, including three packs, are sold nationally through various retailers, including Amazon, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combination stores, and other online outlets. As of mid-December, the FDA had received reports that these products were still available on shelves in several states.
Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores, while Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches are available at Weis grocery stores.
Recognizing Lead Toxicity Symptoms
Lead is toxic to humans, affecting people of all ages and health statuses, but children are particularly susceptible. Short-term exposure to lead can cause symptoms such as headaches, abdominal pain/colic, vomiting, and anemia. Longer-term exposure may result in additional symptoms like irritability, lethargy, fatigue, muscle aches or prickling/burning sensations, constipation, difficulty concentrating, muscular weakness, tremors, and weight loss.
Most children exhibit no immediate obvious symptoms. Parents and caretakers should consult with a healthcare provider if they suspect their child may have been exposed to lead.
Recommendation for Consumers
Consumers are urged not to consume the recalled products and to discard them appropriately. To do this, individuals should carefully open the pouch, empty the contents into a trash can, discard the packaging, and clean up any spills before washing their hands.
If you or your child have symptoms or exposure to these products, you can file a complaint or adverse event report. Parents who suspect their child may have been exposed to lead should consult with their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test.
Clinicians are advised to refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Health Alert Network (HAN) and CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA Now) announcements for guidance on caring for patients potentially exposed to lead by consuming recalled products.
The FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available. The long shelf life of these products makes the recall particularly important, as consumers might have them stored at home.
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