Most reported patients in the growing applesauce lead poisoning probe are young children, a Food and Drug Administration spokesperson confirmed, as authorities continue to field reports from parents and doctors following last month's recall.
A sample of the cinnamon applesauce collected from Dollar Tree had tested for lead levels more than 200 times larger than what the agency considers safe for babies and young children, the agency said Friday.
At least 34 cases have been reported to the agency across 22 states, after consuming the now-recalled pouches which had been sold nationwide.
One family told the agency that they had searched for months to try to root out the culprit of high blood lead levels in their son, which had climbed to as high as 22.5 micrograms per deciliter – far beyond the threshold the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges consulting poison control or pediatric specialists.
Concerns Raised over Lead Poisoning from Fruit Puree Pouches
A family has expressed their concerns about lead poisoning caused by Apple Cinnamon WanaBana fruit puree pouches. According to reports, their son consumed 4-6 pouches a day from May 2023 to August 2023. The family discovered the issue after their son's blood lead levels began to fall once they removed the pouches from his diet.
The family has expressed worry about potential developmental delays and behavioral issues resulting from the exposure. Lead exposure can damage the brain and nervous system of young children, leading to behavior and learning problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency advises that even low levels of lead exposure can have adverse effects on children. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child's healthcare provider about getting a blood test if there is a suspicion of lead exposure.
The CDC has warned testing labs to be prepared for an increase in testing requests for lead poisoning due to the news of the recall. There have also been reports of frustration with the retailers who sold the applesauce pouches.
WanaBana's recall of its Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches was dated Oct. 30. A week later, a family complained the pouches were still being sold to parents by Dollar Tree.
A spokesperson for Dollar Tree did not immediately return a request for comment.
Pouches have also been recalled by WanaBana that were sold under the brands of grocery retailers Weis and Schnucks.
Officials say contaminated cinnamon used by Wanabana is their leading suspect for the lead poisonings.
As a precaution, the FDA has begun screening imports of cinnamon from several countries for potential lead contamination.
An FDA spokesperson declined to clarify which countries would be targeted by their heightened scrutiny, saying the agency "generally does not pre-announce investigatory actions."
"The FDA encourages manufacturers that import cinnamon and products that contain cinnamon to implement necessary preventive controls to ensure their products do not contain elevated levels of lead," the FDA spokesperson said.
