Fruit Pouch Recall Expands In NJ As Illnesses Increase

NEW JERSEY — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising parents and caregivers not to buy or feed certain fruit puree and applesauce products to children because the product "may contain elevated levels of lead." Nationwide, at least seven people have reported illnesses from consuming the products, per the FDA; none of these cases are in New Jersey.

The recall now includes WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches sold at several national retailers, and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches, sold at Weis grocery stores.

Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed these products are urged to contact their child’s doctor about getting a blood-lead test.

WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are sold nationally and are available at Sam’s Club, Amazon, and Dollar Tree.

Weis Markets has 6 stores in New Jersey:

• 146 Center Grove Road, Randolph
• 121 Water Street, Newton
• 2045 Mansfield Village Square, State Route 57, Hackettstown
• 315 Route 206, Hillsborough
• 293 U.S. Highway 206, Flanders

The advisory happened after a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) investigation, which stemmed from four children who ate the pouches having lead poisoning. North Carolina health officials analyzed several lots of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purée and said they detected high concentrations of lead.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it reviewed and supported NCDHHS’s analytical findings and found that analytical results at this level could result in acute toxicity.

The investigation into this product is ongoing, and also includes Schnucks brand applesauce pouches and a variety pack (sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores).

Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. Lead exposure in children is often difficult to see. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. If there’s suspicion that a child may have been exposed to lead, health officials said parents should talk to their child's doctor about getting a blood test. Although lead can only be diagnosed through clinical testing, signs and symptoms of lead toxicity vary based on exposure.

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

More information, including the product recall announcement, can be found on the FDA’s website.