Minnesota Parents Urged To Give Children Blood-Lead Test If They Ate These Fruit Products

Minnesota health officials are urging parents to avoid purchasing some packaged fruit items made primarily for kids over concerns the products contain lead and could expose children to this harmful metal.

The FDA issued an alert for WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches, saying that these fruit pouches could expose toddlers and children to elevated levels of lead.

These pouches have been sold nationwide through multiple retailers, including Sam's Club, Dollar Tree, and Amazon. The manufacturer has agreed to a voluntary recall, impacting a number of batches across a number of expiration dates for the 2.5-ounce puree pouches.

Since the initial alert, the FDA has added a few other brands of products to this recall. Along with the WanaBana products, certain Schnucks cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs and certain Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches have been added to an updated recall and investigation from the FDA.

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The Schnucks products were sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores, while the Weis branded products were sold at Weis grocery stores

What should you do if your child may have eaten one of these products?

In reaction to this situation, the Minnesota Department of Health is echoing that concern, not only urging parents not to buy these products, but also to take action if their children may have consumed any of these products.

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The MDH says if a parent or caregiver to a toddler or young child may have consumed any of these products, you should contact your child's healthcare provider to ask about getting a blood-lead test. The FDA offers similar advice.

The MDH explains that there is no safe level of lead, and children are at the greatest risk of negative health effects from lead exposure, though lead toxicity can impact anyone at any age.

What are the symptoms and health effects of lead exposure?

The FDA says that most children exhibit no obvious immediate symptoms. That is one of the reasons why organizations like the FDA and MDH are stressing the need for a blood-lead test if exposure is suspected.

According to the FDA, short-term exposure to lead could result in symptoms like headache, abdominal pain/colic, vomiting, and anemia.

Longer-term exposure could result in things like irritability, lethargy, fatigue, muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning, constipation, difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness, tremors, weight loss, or decreased IQ.