What’s Happening?
The North Carolina Departments of Health & Human Services and Agriculture & Consumer Services identified WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches as a source for elevated blood lead levels in multiple children. They found extraordinarily high concentrations of lead (1,900- 5,100 ppb) in the products, leading to the identification of at least 34 cases of elevated blood lead levels across 22 states to date.
On October 28, 2023, FDA issued a safety alert advising that “parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test.” Three days later, the company issued a voluntary recall.
As the recall expanded, FDA transferred the investigation to its Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network to determine the source of lead contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses.
Why It Matters
Lead levels in the puree ranged from 1,900 to 5,100 parts per billion (ppb). A single serving with 2,000 ppb exposed children to a lead level 64 times greater than FDA’s maximum daily intake of 2.2 micrograms/day (µg/day) for a child and 11 times greater than the 12.5 (µg/day) for an adult.
We will continue to note that there is no safe level of exposure to lead—making it toxic at any age, with heightened concern for children aged six and below. In homes without lead pipes or lead paint, diet is the primary source of lead exposure for young children. Read More