Lawsuits have been filed after 400 children got lead poisoning from cinnamon-flavored WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches, leading to a nationwide recall at Dollar Tree, Sam’s Club, and other stores.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting WanaBana Applesauce induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child was diagnosed with lead poisoning after eating WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: 404 People Got Chromium and Lead Poisoning from Applesauce
As of January 26, 2024, the CDC Outbreak Investigation has reported that 404 people in 43 states suffered lead and chromium poisoning from WanaBana, Weis and Schnucks Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches, which were sold nationwide at Dollar Tree and other stores.
Nearly all of the victims are babies and children under 6 years old, but at least one 53-year-old adult was also diagnosed with lead poisoning.
The illnesses were reported between October 2023 and January 2024 in the following 43 states: AL (1), AR (1), AZ (1), CA (1), CT (1), FL (1), GA (2), IA (1), IL (5), IN (1), KY (3), LA (4), MA (3), MD (7), MI (8), MO (3), NC (6), NE (2), NH (1), NJ (1), NM (1), NY (8), OH (3), OK (1), PA (2), SC (2), TN (3), TX (3), VA (2), WA (4), WI (2), WV (3), Unknown (3).
The FDA tested WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches and found lead levels at 2.18 parts per million (ppm), which, for context, is more than 200 times greater than the action level the FDA has proposed for applesauce and fruit purees.
The FDA is now testing other applesauce pouches and fruit purees to check for lead contamination.
FDA: Lead Levels in Toxic Applesauce 2,000X Higher Than Proposed Standards
FDA inspectors tested the cinnamon ingredient in WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches and found that it had levels of toxic lead that were 2,000 times higher than proposed standards. The cinnamon samples were collected at a facility in Ecuador that manufactured th tainted applesauce pouches.
Lawsuit Filed Against WanaBana for Child’s Lead Poisoning
The first lawsuit has been filed against WanaBana by the parents of a 1-year-old girl from Wake Forest, North Carolina, who was diagnosed with lead poisoning after eating dozens of WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches. The girl had 20 mcg/dL of lead in her bloodstream, when the normal amount is 3.5 mcg/dL or less, according to the class action lawsuit.
WanaBana Applesauce Recall for Lead Poisoning
In October 2023, the FDA warned parents not to buy or feed WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches to children due to the risk of lead poisoning from the cinnamon ingredient.
Children Got Lead Poisoning from WanaBana Applesauce
The investigation began after 4 children were diagnosed with lead poisoning, according to health officials in North Carolina. Investigators also tested multiple batches of WanaBana applesauce pouches and found “extremely high concentrations of lead.”
Two Other Brands of Applesauce Recalled for Lead
The warning also includes two other brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches: Schnucks® Cinnamon Apple Sauce Fruit Pouches and Weis Quality® Cinnamon Apple Sauce Pouches.
Tests Find “Extremely High” Lead Levels in WanaBana Applesauce Pouches
Tests on the pouches found “extremely high” levels of lead, according to health officials in North Carolina, where 4 children suffered lead poisoning after eating WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches.
WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouch Recall
On October 30, 2023, WanaBana USA agreed to voluntarily recall all WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches, regardless of expiration date or lot code, according to the FDA.
Cinnamon Ingredient Linked to Lead Contamination
The lead contamination was traced to the cinnamon raw material, which was used by Austrofood SAS, the company that manufactured the pouches, according to a press release from Schnucks Markets.
Children May Need Blood Test for Lead Poisoning
Parents and caregivers who fed these recalled applesauce pouches to children should tell a healthcare provider and ask about getting the child tested for lead. The only way to diagnose lead poisoning is with a blood test. Children may not have obvious signs of lead poisoning, even if they have dangerous amounts of lead in their body.
Health Risks of Lead Poisoning in Children
Lead is an extremely toxic heavy metal that is harmful for everyone, but it is especially dangerous for children. Exposure to lead can permanently harm a child’s health and cause lifelong brain damage, learning disabilities, lower IQ, behavior problems, hearing loss, slow growth and development, kidney damage, and other side effects.
Is There Any Safe Level of Lead?
No. There is no safe level of lead, and even low levels of lead can cause health problems in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to negatively affect a child’s intelligence, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.”
Signs & Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
Short term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain/Colic
- Vomiting
- Anemia
Longer term exposure could result in additional symptoms:
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning
- Occasional abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Difficulty concentrating/Muscular exhaustibility
- Headache
- Tremor
- Weight loss
Can I Join a Class Action?
Lawsuits have been filed by people who purchased WanaBana Applesauce Pouches that were recalled for lead contamination. If your child was diagnosed with lead poisoning or needed a blood test, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit or join a class action.
How Much is My Lawsuit Worth?
Lawsuits may be filed for children who were diagnosed with lead poisoning from WanaBana Applesauce Pouches. These children are at risk of lifelong health problems, including learning disabilities and brain damage that can severely decrease quality of life.
If your child was injured, we may be able to help you seek a settlement or financial compensation for your child’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, long-term care, disabilities, decreased quality of life, and more.
Do I have a WanaBana Applesauce Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting WanaBana Applesauce induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child was diagnosed with lead poisoning after eating WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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