WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches.Photo:FDA
FDA
The FDA is urging parents to test their kids after high levels of lead were found in a brand of fruit puree pouches.
WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches — sold nationally through several retailers including Amazon, Dollar Tree and Sam’s Club — “may contain elevated levels of lead,” the agency said in apress release.
The company “has agreed to voluntarily recall all WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches regardless of expiration,” per the release.
WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches.FDA
“Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test,” the FDA added.
The incident surfaced after the agency was “made aware of a developing investigation” involving the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) “regarding four children with elevated blood lead levels, indicating potential acute lead toxicity,” per the release.
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The agency went on to list signs and symptoms of lead toxicity, including headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, anemia, fatigue, irritability, weight loss and tremor.
“If you have WanaBana brand apple cinnamon puree products in your home, do not eat them or feed them to your children. Dispose of the products immediately,” theNorth Carolina Department of Health and Human Servicessaid.
“Lead exposure in children is often difficult to see,” according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms.”
“Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to negatively affect a child’s intelligence, ability to pay attention and academic achievement,” the CDC added. “The health effects of exposure are more harmful to children less than six years of age because their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly.”
WanaBana did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
source: people.com
