MDHHS, MDARD remind residents to discard applesauce pouches that may contain lead

METRO DETROIT — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are advising consumers to be aware that specific brands of applesauce containing cinnamon have been voluntarily recalled due to high levels of lead.

This advisory applies to brands of applesauce puree that contain cinnamon including WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches, available nationally and online, sold in Michigan Dollar Tree stores. WanaBana has initiated a voluntary recall of all batches of this product.

Schnucks brand cinnamon applesauce pouches, found at local supermarkets \in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, were also identified as being at risk. Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches, found in local supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Delaware were affected as well.

“There is no safe level of lead for any person, particularly for babies and children,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive with MDHHS, said in a press release. “A blood lead test is the only way to know if a person has been exposed to lead. Anyone who has eaten applesauce products listed above should make an appointment with their health care provider for a blood lead test.”

Parents of children who have eaten the recalled products or have other suspected sources of lead exposure are advised to contact the child’s health care provider about blood lead testing. Consumers are urged to stop using the affected products immediately and discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

There have been multiple cases across several states, including Michigan, of elevated blood lead levels in children due to eating one of these products. An elevated blood lead test result is one that measures greater than or equal to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter..

To learn more about blood lead testing, visit the MI Lead Safe webpage, www.michigan.gov/mileadsafe/lead-services.