Westchester DOH Warns Public About Recalled Applesauce Pouches

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Health Department is urgently advising people to inspect their pantries for any cinnamon applesauce pouches that are under voluntary recall.

Health officials said the pouches are suspected of containing heightened levels of lead and chromium.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and state and local officials are actively investigating their potential connection to elevated blood lead levels in children.

The products linked to the investigation and recalled were sold under the following brands:

• WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée 3-pack pouches of 2.5 ounces distributed nationwide
• Schnucks Apple Sauce 90 gram pouches with cinnamon, lots 05023:19, 09023:22 and 09023:24
• Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce 90 gram pouches, lot 05023:28

Anyone in Westchester County who has any of these products and has given them to children is urged to contact the department’s Lead Program at 914-813-7388 for collection arrangements. Additionally, they should call their child’s pediatrician to schedule a new blood level test.

According to the FDA, WanaBana was sold at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree stores, Amazon and other online outlets. Schnucks was sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets and Weis was sold at Weis grocery stores.

The voluntary recall was issued in November, but these products were still found on store shelves in December, according to the FDA.

Lead is a toxic mineral that can cause cognitive loss, lead to behavioral problems and can decrease learning ability. All children, from 6 months to 6 years old, should have a lead assessment done annually by their medical provider and by New York State law, all children who are 1 and 2 years old must receive a blood lead test.