FDA confirms 87 reports of adverse events related to WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Puree pouches

Update:

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it received 87 complaints/reports of adverse events that could be linked to the WanaBana applesauce pouch recall.
• The median age of the confirmed complaints is 1, while the complainants range between ages 0 and 53, the FDA says.
• The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health is working with state and local health departments with a standard for confirming a case being blood lead level of 3.5 µg/dL or higher measured within three months after consuming a recalled WanaBana, Schnucks or Weis brand fruit puree.
• The CDC reports 86 confirmed cases, 209 probable cases and 26 suspected cases for a total of 321 cases from 38 different states. The CDC and FDA have different data sources, which explains the numbers discrepancy.

FDA applesauce lead investigation overview:

• Who: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating nearly two dozen reports of illnesses potentially linked to WanaBana applesauce pouches.
• Why: The WanaBana applesauce products may contain levels of lead that are high enough to cause lead toxicity.
• Where: The WanaBana recall was issued for Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree products distributed nationwide.

(Nov. 17, 2023)

On Nov. 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating applesauce lead content after nearly two dozen reports of illnesses potentially linked to a WanaBana recall of applesauce pouches.

The initial WanaBana recall was issued in October due to extremely high lead content in its apple cinnamon puree pouches. The FDA issued a safety alert for this product after North Carolina health and agriculture officials determined the applesauce pouches could be a source of lead exposure for children with high levels of lead in their blood.

On Nov. 9, WanaBana voluntarily recalled all lots of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches due to reports of elevated lead content, the FDA reported.

WanaBana said it was also investigating the source of the applesauce lead contamination.

Applesauce lead contamination may have led to 22 illnesses, FDA says

The FDA says there have been reports of 22 illnesses in 14 states potentially linked to the recalled WanaBana products. The agency reviewed North Carolina’s analysis and determined that the applesauce lead levels in the products were high enough to cause acute lead toxicity.

“FDA is continuing to evaluate incoming adverse reports of illnesses,” the FDA said. “FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the source of lead contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses.”

No lead has been detected in products that are not part of the WanaBana recall, the FDA says.

The WanaBana recall products are also reportedly sold in the United States as Schnucks Apple Sauce 90g Pouches with Cinnamon and Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce 90g. 

Children are more vulnerable to lead toxicity than adults, although the symptoms are not often obvious. Short-term lead exposure symptoms may include abdominal pain, anemia, abdominal pain and vomiting. Long-term lead exposure symptoms may include concentration issues, constipation, lethargy, muscle aches, weight loss and other symptoms.

The FDA says consumers who purchased any of the products listed in the WanaBana recall should stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Parents who suspect their child may have consumed the recalled applesauce products should talk to their healthcare provider about getting a blood test to find out if they have been exposed to applesauce lead contamination.

What do you think of the FDA’s applesauce lead investigation? Join the discussion in the comments.

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