Two ID children confirmed to have elevated blood lead levels after consuming recalled applesauce
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Two Idaho children tested for elevated blood lead levels after eating recalled cinnamon applesauce products. The affected children live in Elmore and Ada counties, according to a press release from the Department of Health and Welfare.
The Food and Drug Administration recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée in late October. The recalled products include WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches, Schnucks brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack and Weis brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches.
WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée is distributed nationwide through retailers including Dollar Tree, Amazon and other online stores. The other brands, sold at Schnucks and Weis Markets, are not available in Idaho.
Parents of children who consumed contaminated applesauce should call their family doctor and request evaluation and a test, according to DHW. Those without a primary care doctor should contact their local public health agency.
There is no safe level of lead in blood. Testing is important, as affected children often don’t look or act sick and may go undiagnosed without tests.
WanaBana voluntarily recalled all of its Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches regardless of their expiration dates, but some people may have bought the product before the announcement.
Families should check their homes and throw away any pouches they find.
Possible signs of lead exposure and symptoms in children include tiredness or loss of energy, hyperactivity, reduced attention span, irritability or crankiness, poor appetite, weight loss, trouble sleeping, constipation and stomach aches or pains.
A collaborative investigation by Idaho state and local partners, FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is ongoing.
