Federal well being officers are increasing an investigation into doubtlessly lead-tainted pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree advertised for kids amid reviews of extra illnesses and extra product recollects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated Friday it has gained reports of seven illnesses in no less than 5 states most likely linked to infected puree.
Two new corporations, Schnucks Markets of St. Louis and Weis Markets of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, introduced recollects of sure cinnamon applesauce merchandise because they are going to comprise prime ranges of lead. WanaBana of Coral Gables, Florida, up to now recalled of all rather a lot and expiration dates of its apple cinnamon fruit puree.
Eating the tainted merchandise may just lead to “acute toxicity,” FDA officials said. Parents and caregivers should not buy or serve the cinnamon applesauce products, which are sold through multiple retailers, including Amazon, Dollar Tree and at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores.
Children and others who have consumed the products should be tested for possible lead poisoning, the agency said.
The investigation began in North Carolina, where health officials are looking into reports of four children with elevated blood levels linked to the WanaBana product. State health officials analyzed multiple lots of the product and detected “extremely high” concentrations of lead. The FDA showed the effects.
The FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network is leading the investigation in cooperation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health officials.
Lead is toxic to people of all ages, but can be especially harmful to children. Most children have no obvious symptoms, so it’s important that kids who are exposed get tested to check levels of lead in their blood. Short-term exposure to lead can result in symptoms that include headache, abdominal pain, vomiting and anemia, the FDA said.
Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Lead exposure can seriously harm children’s health, causing damage to the brain and nervous system and slowed growth and development. There is no known safe level of lead exposure, the AAP said.
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