Danger! Applesauce RECALL after Lead Poisoning in Babies

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

November 14, 2023 – The CDC is investigating connections between cinnamon flavored applesauce pouches and 22 sickened toddlers exhibiting symptoms of lead toxicity.  The babies, between one and three years old have recorded concerningly high levels of lead in their blood.

Affected products which are now under voluntary recall include WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches; Schnucks brand cinnamon applesauce pouches and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches.  They were all found to contain heightened levels of lead described by the CDC as ‘extreme’

Batches included in the recall are WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree in 3-pack pouches of 2.5 oz. (ALL batches); Schnucks Apple Sauce 90g pouches with cinnamon ( Lots 05023:19, 09023:22 and 09023:24); and Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce 90g, (05023:28).

The CDC warns that no level of lead in the blood is considered safe for children and Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve the pouches and should discard them. Affected toddlers experienced headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in activity level, and anemia.

Cases have been recorded in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

The health alert came in on Monday November 13.