FDA Warns Parents Not to Purchase or Feed Kids WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches Due to ‘Elevated Levels of Lead’

The FDA is advising parents who have given their children WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree to have their children undergo blood tests.

Due to concerns about elevated lead levels, WanaBana has initiated a voluntary recall of the pouches, which are available at various retailers, including Amazon and Sam’s Club. The FDA provided this information in a recall alert issued on Saturday.

The initial detection of possible lead contamination stemmed from the joint efforts of The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In North Carolina, four children exhibited elevated blood lead levels, prompting the health department to investigate the WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree. Their analysis of the snack unveiled “remarkably high concentrations of lead,” as reported by the FDA. The FDA emphasized that such elevated levels of lead have the potential to lead to acute toxicity, causing adverse effects after ingestion.

The recall encompasses all lot codes and expiration dates. The alert suggests that elevated levels of lead, which can be harmful to all individuals but might be challenging to detect in children, may be present in the apple cinnamon variety. Consequently, the FDA advises against purchasing or consuming this flavor.

Children who come into contact with lead may not exhibit immediate symptoms, and the sole method for diagnosing lead exposure is through clinical testing. Those individuals who have been exposed to lead may experience various symptoms, including abdominal pain, colic, headaches, vomiting, and anemia. Additionally, over the long term, individuals with lead exposure might experience persistent irritability, fatigue, constipation, difficulties in concentration, tremors, weight loss, and a range of other potential effects.