Lead Found in Toddler Food: FDA Warning

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning parents that a toddler food product may be contaminated with lead. 

On Saturday, the FDA issued an advisory that says parents should avoid buying and feeding their toddlers and young children WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches due to “elevated levels of lead.” 

“Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test,” the advisory says. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) conducted an investigation into four children who were determined to have lead in their blood, indicating lead exposure from somewhere in their environment. After pinpointing the WanaBana pouches, the NCDHHS found “extremely high concentrations of lead” in the products.

The products are sold nationwide through Amazon, Sam’s Club and Dollar Tree. According to the advisory, the company has agreed to recall all of the pouches. 

No amount of lead in the blood has been deemed safe by health authorities. Lead poisoning and lead toxicity are often not immediately obvious, and the only way to detect it is through a blood test. However, short-term symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, abdominal pain including colic, vomiting, and anemia, while longer term symptoms include fatigue, irritability, muscle aches, abdominal discomfort, difficulty concentrating, tremors, and weight loss. 

Lead toxicity is dangerous to everyone, but young children are especially vulnerable because it can impair brain development.