The Westchester County Health Department urgently advises residents to inspect their pantries and promptly discard any cinnamon applesauce pouches currently under voluntary recall. These pouches are suspected of containing heightened levels of lead and chromium. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, along with state and local officials, are actively investigating their potential connection to elevated blood lead levels in children.
Those in Westchester County who possess these products and have given them to children are urged to contact the Department's Lead Program at 914-813-7388 for collection arrangements.
Additionally, they should reach out to their child's pediatrician to schedule a new blood lead level test.
Lead is a toxic mineral that can cause cognitive loss, lead to behavioral problems, and can decrease learning ability. All children, from six-months to six-years-old, should have a lead assessment done annually by their medical provider, and by New York State law, all children who are one and two years old must receive a blood lead test.
The products linked to the investigation and recalled were sold under the following brands:
- WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée 3-pack pouches of 2.5 ounce distributed nationwide
- Schnucks Apple Sauce 90 gram pouches with cinnamon, lots 05023:19, 09023:22 and 09023:24.
- Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce 90 gram pouches, lot 05023:28.
According to the FDA, WanaBana was sold at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree stores, Amazon and other online outlets. Schnucks was sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets and Weis was sold at Weis grocery stores. The voluntary recall was issued in November, but these products were still found on store shelves in December, the FDA said.