- A recall has expanded for potentially lead-tainted pouches of fruit puree
- The purees include WanaBana, along with products from Schnucks Markets and Weis Markets
- The investigation began with reports of four children with elevated blood levels linked to the WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two more companies are pulling potentially lead-tainted pouches of fruit puree from store shelves amid an expanded recall.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it has received reports of seven illnesses in at least five states possibly linked to the contaminated puree.
The investigation began in North Carolina, with reports of four children with elevated blood levels linked to WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches.
State health officials said an analysis of multiple lots of the product detected “extremely high” concentrations of lead.
The pouches are available through multiple retailers, including Sam’s Club, Amazon and Dollar Tree.
"Lead can be very harmful if ingested, especially for a young child,” state Acting Health Secretary Debra Bogen said in a release Oct. 31.
Recall expands
Two new companies, Schnucks Markets of St. Louis and Weis Markets of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, also announced recalls of certain cinnamon applesauce products because they may contain high levels of lead.
There are at least a dozen Weis locations in the Lehigh Valley.
FDA officials said eating the contaminated products could result in “acute toxicity,” and parents and caregivers should not buy or serve the cinnamon applesauce products.
Anyone who has consumed the product should be tested for possible lead poisoning, officials said.
The investigation continues
The FDA said its Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network is leading the investigation, alongside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and various state and local health officials.
Short-term exposure to lead can result in children experiencing symptoms such as headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting and anemia.
Long-term exposure can cause damage to the brain and nervous system and slowed growth and development.
