WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Pouch Recall Lawsuit
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The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on Nov. 3, 2023, to parents and caregivers to avoid giving children WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purees due to potentially high levels of lead. Lead is particularly harmful to children’s development.
According to the FDA, the discovery of the high lead levels came from a North Carolina investigation when they detected high levels of lead in four children in the state. Investigators identified the WanaBana pouches as a potential source linking the four children. After testing multiple lots of the product, the investigators discovered that there were “extremely high concentrations of lead.”
Since the initial warning, the FDA has expanded the recall to include two other brands: certain Schnucks cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs and certain Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches. The FDA is also looking into additional reports of illnesses in other possibly affected products.
Seven “adverse events” have been reported from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1.
As of Nov. 22, 2023, there have been 52 reported cases of lead poisoning in children aged one to four in the United States.
The recall includes all lot codes and expiration dates of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches.
What is lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning, Mayo Clinic says; “occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the health effects of lead exposure in children can seriously harm a child’s health. There is no safe amount of lead exposure in children. Even a small amount of lead can lead to lifelong adverse effects.
Exposure to lead can happen when a child swallows, touches or breathes in lead dust particles.
Short-term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain/Colic
- Vomiting
- Anemia
Long-term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms:
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning
- Occasional abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscular exhaustibility
- Headache
- Tremor
- Weight loss
Children exposed to lead could have lifelong effects such as:
- Damaged cognitive development
- Slower development
- Learning and behavior problems
- Hearing and speech issues
- Lower IQ
- Decreased attention span
- Slower performance in school
The FDA advises parents and caregivers to have their children acquire a blood test through their healthcare provider if they have consumed the affected fruit pouches. The FDA also recommends to immediately stop giving children the affected fruit pouches.