PA Toddler Among 22 Sick From Recalled Applesauce: Latest Details

PENNSYLVANIA — Health officials said 14 states, including Pennsylvania, have reported potential cases of children with elevated lead levels in their blood after consuming certain recalled fruit puree and applesauce products.

As of Nov. 7, there are 22 reported cases of children between the ages of 1 and 3 years old who have higher blood lead levels, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Cases experienced signs and symptoms including headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in activity level, and anemia," officials said. There is no safe level of lead in children's blood, the CDC added; the affected children had blood lead levels ranging from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.

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

WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are sold nationally and are available at Sam’s Club, Amazon, and Dollar Tree. Sunbury-based Weis Markets has dozens of stores in Pennsylvania.

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.

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