The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday (Nov 23) that more children in the country have become ill as a result of apple puree pouches that were recently recalled owing to lead poisoning. According to the Associated Press, the FDA received 52 reports of elevated lead levels among children who allegedly drank the product, an increase from 34 cases recorded last week.
The instances are dispersed across 22 states and involve youngsters aged one to four, according to an FDA update. WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree and Schnucks and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches were the brands of the puree pouches.
According to the research, these goods were offered by big grocery stores, including Dollar Tree, as well as online retailers such as Amazon.
Dollar tree faces FDA scrutiny after lead-contaminated apple puree pouches cause illnesses in children
The FDA stated on Thursday that it was still working with Dollar Tree to remove the recalled products off store shelves in various locations.
“This product should not be available for sale and consumers should not purchase or consume this product,” the agency further said and advised parents to dispose of the pouches by emptying the contents into the trash and discarding the packaging.
Lead poisoning can cause major learning, cognitive, and behavioral issues. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that heavy metals such as lead can enter food products through soil, air, water, or industrial processes.
The FDA said nearly a week ago that it was evaluating cinnamon imports from numerous nations for harmful lead poisoning after toddlers became ill after consuming apple puree and apple sauce pouches.
The FDA stated that cinnamon from an Ecuadorian manufacturer was the most likely source of high amounts of lead identified in recalled pouches connected to illnesses in the 34 cases earlier reported.
Officials told the Associated Press that one pouch of WanaBana apple cinnamon puree obtained from a Dollar Tree store has lead levels more than 200 times higher than suggested FDA guidance would allow.