Lead poisoning case in Monroe County linked to nationwide applesauce recall

Victoria E. Freile, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Updated ·3 min read

The Monroe County Department of Public Health confirmed Tuesday that at least one case of lead poisoning has been linked to a nationwide recall of several brands of applesauce products.

A Monroe County resident under the age of six has a blood lead level of greater than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter but less than 10 micrograms per deciliter, Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County's Commissioner of Public Health, said during a press conference Tuesday.

Which applesauce products were recalled?

  • WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches, including 3-packs of 2.5 oz. pouches

  • Schnucks Cinnamon Flavored Applesauce, 90g pouches and variety pack

  • Weis Cinnamon Applesauce, 90g pouches

WanaBana products are sold nationally through Amazon, Dollar Tree and other online outlets and Schnucks products are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores, which are located mainly in Illinois.

Weis products are sold at Weis grocery stores, which can be found throughout the Southern Tier.

What caused the Rochester area lead poisoning case?

Health department investigators linked the local case to WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit puree, which was purchased at a local Dollar Tree store before the items were recalled on Nov. 9.

Once recalled, retailers were told to remove these products from the shelves and dispose of the products.

What symptoms you should look out for

Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of all ages and health statuses. Exposure to lead is often difficult to identify, according to the FDA, and most children have no obvious immediate symptoms.

Exposure to lead can only be diagnosed through clinical testing, and signs and symptoms of lead toxicity varies, based on exposure.

Short term symptoms of lead exposure include:

  • Headache

  • Abdominal pain/colic

  • Vomiting

  • Anemia

Additional symptoms that may arise as the result of longer term lead exposure include:

  • Irritability

  • Lethargy

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning

  • Constipation

  • Difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness

  • Tremor

  • Weight loss

Lead exposure can seriously harm a child's health and lead to long-term health effects, which may result in negative effects on learning and focus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including:

  • Damage to the brain and nervous system

  • Slowed growth and development

  • Learning and behavior problems

  • Hearing and speech problems

What to do if a child has consumed the recalled applesauce?

If a child has consumed any of these products, parents should contact their child’s healthcare provider to schedule a blood test, according to the Monroe County Department of Public Health.

There is no safe level of lead in children, and most children will not have immediate symptoms of lead poisoning, health department officials said.

The health department has notified area healthcare providers to screen for cases of elevated blood lead level related to children who have ingested products involved in the recall.

While current cases across the country involve children under 6 years of age, older children and teens who consumed these products may also be at risk for lead toxicity.

What should be done with the recalled applesauce?

Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County's Commissioner of Public Health, said residents shouldcheck their homes for the recalled products and empty any remaining applesauce into the trash before disposing of the packaging.

"Look through your pantry," Mendoza said. "We all know that things can live in our pantries for months and years ... The most important thing is to look for those recalled products and dispose of them properly."

Gannett reporter Emily Barnes contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Lead poisoning case in Rochester NY linked to applesauce recall