The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recalled three brands of fruit puree and applesauce pouches due to high amounts of lead. The brands found to hold a high lead toxicity are WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis apple cinnamon pouches.
Initially, WanaBana USA released its recall announcement on Nov. 9, 2023. Furthermore, as of December 19, WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Puree product (including the recalled three packs) were believed to still be on shelves at some Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combination stores.
Where the FDA Recalled Products Are/Were Sold
In addition to the combination stores mentioned above, the recalled WanaBana products were sold on Amazon, Dollar Tree, and other online outlets. Furthermore, the Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack are sold at Eatwell Markets and Schnucks grocery stores. Additionally, Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches can be found at its namesakes grocery store.
Moreover, the FDA have warned consumers that these products have a long shelf life. Therefore, people should check their shelves at home and discard these products.
Additional testing of the recalled products, found them to contain chromium. “People who ate recalled products, especially if they had elevated blood lead levels, may have been exposed to chromium and should inform their healthcare provider so they can monitor health and provide supportive care, as needed,” according to the agency’s website.
Further Review
Due to the FDA’s limitation in available testing methods, they were unable to definitively determine the for of the chromium in the samples from the recalled cinnamon apple pouches. Moreover, the high levels of chromium was found in two of the recalled products.
The WanaBana brand “yielded 0.590 and 0.566” parts per million (ppm). With the other two brands contained 1201 and 531 ppm.
Furthermore, the FDA also conducted testing for cadmium and arsenic. However, they did not detect those elements “above trace levels in the cinnamon collected from the Austrofoods facility in Ecuador or in the recalled product.”
Possible Symptoms
Some people may not experience any symptoms upon consuming chromium. However, acute ingestion of more than the recommended dietary dosage could result in:
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea.
- Or renal and hepatic dysfunction.
Symptoms of short term lead exposure may include in:
- Abdominal pain and/or colic.
- Anemia.
- Vomiting.
- And headache.
Furthermore, long term lead exposure could cause:
- Lethargy.
- Fatigue.
- Irritability.
- Muscle aches.
- Muscle prickling/burning.
- Weight loss.
- Constipation.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Tremors.
- Or Muscular weakness.
Contacting Provider
Anyone concerned their child may have been exposed to these chemicals should contact their health care provider. Especially, if they consumed the recalled products and are displaying any of the symptoms mentioned.
Information on lot codes and UPCs can be found in the firm’s recall announcement.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
FDA: WanaBana Recalls WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches & Cinnamon Apple Sauce Due to Elevated Lead Levels
The Washington Post: FDA finds chromium, a second metal contaminant, in applesauce pouches
FDA: Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023)
Featured Image Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Flickr Page – Public Domain License
Inset Image Courtesy of WanaBana USA‘s Press Release
