Health Department alerts public about cinnamon applesauce recall

Recalled applesauce may contain extremely high concentrations of lead

The Texas Department of State Health Services today issued a health advisory connected to several brands of cinnamon applesauce and cinnamon apple puree sold in pouches that may have extremely high concentrations of lead. Children in multiple states have been reported with elevated levels of blood lead after consuming these products, including two children from Texas.

The FDA is investigating cinnamon applesauce products sold under the WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis brand names as the source of exposure for the reported illnesses. These products have been sold by retailers including Dollar Tree, Amazon and other online outlets. DSHS is working with retailers to ensure that the products have been removed from store shelves. If consumers have any of these products in their home, they should discard them. Information about the specific products included in the recall can be found in WanaBana’s recall announcement.

Parents and caregivers of children who may have consumed the recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches should contact the child’s healthcare provider to get their blood tested for lead. While there is no safe blood lead level, children are more susceptible to lead toxicity than adults because their nervous systems are still developing. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms, but cases reported headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in activity level and anemia.

For more information about lead exposure and blood lead surveillance, visit the DSHS website.

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