Applesauce pouches with dangerous lead levels found in SC stores. Which brand is it?
Despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalling WanaBana applesauce pouches for high levels of lead in November, 157 cases of the applesauce were still distributed to South Carolina Dollar Tree stores, according to a Department of Health and Environmental Control news release.
The FDA recalled the following cinnamon applesauce pouch products in November:
- WanaBana-brand apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches (sold nationally)
- Schnucks brand-cinnamon applesauce pouches (sold in Midwest states)
- Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches (sold in Mid-Atlantic states)
The state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Rapid Response Team asked more than 20,000 South Carolina food retailers to recall and remove the products from their shelves in November.
However, when the department’s team visited Dollar Tree stores statewide, it found recalled WanaBana pouches in at least 14 of the 130 stores they visited. DHEC’s news release Monday didn’t say if any of the stores were in Beaufort County.
The team removed the applesauce pouches and later learned that there were 157 cases sent to stores after the recall. Distribution immediately stopped after they discovered the additional cases, according to the release. It didn’t say when exactly the cases were found or when distribution was stopped.
Customers shouldn’t purchase or eat the specified applesauce pouches and should talk to a healthcare provider about getting a blood test if they suspect lead poisoning, according to the FDA.
Young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers are at the highest risk for lead poisoning, according to the release. Often, lead exposure doesn’t have symptoms and can only be confirmed with a drug test.
Since early November at least three children who ate the applesauce products had blood lead levels higher than most. The applesauce that one child ate, tested Jan. 4, had lead levels more than 1,100 times higher than the FDA standard, the release said. DHEC wasn’t able to test the applesauce the other two children ate.
Beyond Dollar Tree, WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are also sold through Amazon, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combination stores and other online stores.
This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 1:24 PM.
