The CDC says that 287 kids have lead poisoning after allegedly consuming WanaBana fruit puree products containing cinnamon. There are 80 confirmed cases, 187 probable cases, and 20 suspect cases. The states where the sick children live are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The cases are defined as follows. A "suspect" case is anyone with a blood lead level of 3.5 μg/dL (micrograms per decaliter) or higher detected through … [Read more...]
CDC Issues Alert For High Lead Levels In WanaBana Fruit Puree
The CDC has issued a HAN alert for high lead levels in WanaBana Fruit Puree. At least 22 children are sick with acute lead poisoning after allegedly consuming this product. The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating a "potential link" between children with high blood lead levels and eating this cinnamon apple puree and applesauce. Patients live in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, The patient age range is from one to three years. The children's blood lead levels range from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). Some of these children did exhibit symptoms of lead poisoning. There is no safe level of lead consumption, and … [Read more...]
FDA on WanaBana Schnucks Weis Applesauce Recall Details
The FDA has posted details on the WanaBana Schnucks Weis applesauce recall for excessive lead contamination. This recall notice was posted on the FDA's Enforcement Report page, not the regular recall page. In all, 2,998,088 units of these products are included in this recall. Seven children in five states are sick with acute lead poisoning after eating the WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree product. The Schnucks Cinnamon Applesauce and the Weis Cinnamon Applesauce are also recalled. The Schnucks recall stated that, "The company’s supplier, Purcell International, notified the company about elevated levels of lead that were found in the cinnamon raw material used by Austrofood SAS, the manufacturer of the applesauce cinnamon pouches." We do not know if that is the same issue with the … [Read more...]
FDA Adds WanaBana Lead Exposures to CORE Outbreak Table
The FDA has added the WanaBana lead exposures to their CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. It joins the unsolved E. coli O121:H19 outbreak in a not yet identified food, and the Salmonella Thompson outbreak that is linked to Gills Onions diced onions. The new addition to the Table is regarding seven children in five states who have suffered acute lead poisoning after eating WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree. The company has voluntarily recalled that product regardless of expiration date or lot number. Two other products have also been recalled for high lead content: Schnucks Cinnamon Applesauce and Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce. Lead is a heavy metal that can cause acute lead poisoning, with symptoms of headaches, abdominal pain, colic, vomiting, and anemia, although many children do … [Read more...]
Recall Roundup For the Week of February 21, 2022
The recall roundup for the week of February 21, 2022 includes more information on the recall of powdered infant formula for possible Cronobacter and Salmonella contamination, another recall of salted plums for possible lead, and a Salmonella recall for frozen custard apple pulp that is associated with five illnesses. Recall Roundup On February 21, 2022, DC Health posted an update about the Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered infant formula recall for possible Salmonella and Cronobacter contamination. Five infants are sick after being fed these formulas; three with Cronobacter and two with Salmonella. DC Health named the varieties of formula that were recalled: Similac Advance, Similac Sensitive, Similac Total Comfort, Similac for Spit Up, Alimentum, EleCare Infant, and EleCare … [Read more...]
Snak Yard Dried Plums Recalled For Possible Lead Contamination
Snak Yard Dried Plums (Saladitos) are being recalled for possible lead contamination. The recall notice did not state whether or not any illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The recalling firm is Alli & Rose LLC. The Snak Yard Dried Plums were sold at Costco Wholesale stores in Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington. The product is packaged in a 12.7 ounce (360 gram) plastic bag. The UPC number or barcode that is printed on the label is 810019600821. And the item code is 1516905. The dried plums were sold from April 2021 through February 2022. No other Alli & Rose products are included in this recall. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems. Chronic lead poisoning occurs over … [Read more...]
Recall Roundup: Saladitos Dried Salted Plums Recalled For Lead
This recall roundup of Saladitos Dried Salted Plums includes all seven recalls for this type of product, all for the possibility of lead contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of any of these items. Salted dried plums are a snack product. Lead is a toxic heavy metal and consuming it can cause a variety of health problems. Over time, consuming smaller quantities can cause developmental delays, behavior disorders, and lower IQ, especially for young children. Consuming higher quantities can cause acute lead poisoning. Symptoms of this illness can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, irritability, behavior or mood changes, deliiurm, seizures, and coma. Recalled Saladitos Dried Salted Plums More of these products may … [Read more...]
Lead in Water Threatens Infant Health and Development
Lead in water threatens infant health and development. This fact has been an issue in the United States for many decades. No amount of lead intake is safe. And children are especially susceptible to damage from this heavy metal, which can reduce IQ, damage the brain and nervous system, slow growth and development, and cause learning, behavioral, hearing, and speech problems. A new report from Healthy Babies Bright Future, detailed in Consumer Reports, shows that risks of lead in tap water is especially dangerous to bottle fed babies. Eight hundred families had their water tested for lead for the study. Ninety-seven of those households were located in New Orleans. Because the results for New Orleans were worse than the national tests, they were analyzed separately so as to not … [Read more...]
Balquis Yemeni Spice Recalled For Possible Lead Contamination
Makzemo LLC of Brooklyn, New York is recalling Balquis Yemeni spice because it may be contaminated with lead, a heavy metal that causes serious illness. Exposure to lead can cause lead poisoning. No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date in connection with this recall. Acute symptoms of lead poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, joint and muscle pain, irritability, weakness, and behavior or mood change. Lead is a carcinogen, and can reduce IQ, developmental delays, and learning disabilities even though the person may not look or feel sick. Lead poisoning is especially damaging to children. Balquis Yemeni spice was distributed in Michigan and in five boroughs of New York City through grocery stores and supermarkets. The spice is packaged in clear … [Read more...]
California DPH Says Lead Contamination in Imported Candy a Significant Problem
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a report about lead contamination in imported candy. A state law has mandated testing of those products. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives and conducted at the University of California - San Fransisco (UCSF) found that CDPH "issued more alerts for lead in candy than for the other top three sources of food-borne contamination combined." The law that mandated testing was passed in 2006. Before that time, CDPH did not test widely for lead in candy. In the six years before the law was passed, only 22% of alerts about food contamination were about lead in candy. But after that law was passed, 42% of the food contaminated alerts issued by state officials were for lead in candy. And nearly all of that … [Read more...]
