Three baby food brands have pulled certain products off the shelves in 28 states after tests revealed alarmingly high levels of lead. The voluntary recall affects WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée, Schnucks Cinnamon-Flavored Applesauce, and Weis-brand Cinnamon Applesauce pouches. Health officials are warning parents and caregivers to stop using these pouches immediately and throw them away. The contamination has been traced back to the cinnamon used in the manufacturing process.
Key Information for Parents
- Recalled Products: WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches, along with Schnucks and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches and their variety packs, are included in the recall.
- Reason for Recall: These products were found to contain unsafe amounts of lead.
- Primary Suspect: According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the cinnamon came from a facility in Ecuador that is now under investigation.
- What to Do: Children should not consume these pouches under any circumstance. Parents are advised to discard them right away. If a child may have eaten one, it’s best to consult a pediatrician or local health department about getting a blood test for lead exposure.
Details of the Recall
The recall began after North Carolina health officials detected unusually high levels of lead in children and traced the exposure to WanaBana products. Further FDA testing confirmed the contamination. The recalled WanaBana pouches were widely available through Dollar Tree, Sam’s Club, and Amazon. The Schnucks and Weis products were sold through their respective supermarket chains.
Lead is a toxic metal that poses a serious risk to young children. There’s no safe level of exposure. Even small amounts can interfere with brain development and the nervous system. Over time, lead can cause learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and reduced IQ. What makes it particularly troubling is that many children with lead poisoning show no obvious symptoms at first, so testing becomes the only way to know for sure.
The FDA says its investigation is still underway. Officials are coordinating with authorities in Ecuador to dig deeper into the cinnamon supply chain that may have introduced the contamination. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited broader concerns among parents and health advocates about heavy metals in commercial baby foods, a problem that has surfaced before and, unfortunately, still hasn’t been fully resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which specific baby food products are part of the recall?
A. The recall includes all lot codes and expiration dates of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches. It also includes Schnucks brand Cinnamon-Flavored Applesauce pouches and variety packs with specific UPC codes (04131801152 and 04131801155) and Weis brand Cinnamon Applesauce pouches with UPC code 04149721612.
Q. What are the symptoms of lead poisoning in a child?
A. Initial symptoms can be hard to spot. They may include irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness, and stomach pain. More severe, long-term effects include developmental delays, learning difficulties, and hearing loss.
Q. How did lead get into the baby food?
A. The FDA believes the lead came from a batch of cinnamon used to make the applesauce puree. The contamination likely occurred before the cinnamon reached the manufacturing facility.
Q. My child ate one of the recalled pouches. What should I do right now?
A. You should talk to your child’s doctor immediately. The doctor can recommend a simple blood test to check for lead in your child’s system and suggest any necessary follow-up actions.
Q. Are other products from WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis affected?
A. No. The recall is specific to the cinnamon-flavored applesauce products mentioned. Other products from these brands are not included in this particular recall.
