FDA warns WanaBana fruit pouches contain high lead levels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an advisory for consumers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to toddlers and young children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead.

This advisory is for all WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches regardless of lot code or expiration. WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are sold nationally and are available through multiple retailers including Sam’s Club, Amazon and Dollar Tree. WanaBana has also agreed to voluntarily recall all apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches regardless of expiration.

The FDA is advising parents and caregivers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should contact their child’s healthcare provider to discuss the need for blood testing.

Exposure to even small amounts of lead may cause behavioral, developmental and health problems. Because children under age 6 are undergoing critical neurological and physical development, they are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of lead on the body.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services recommends the following:

• If you have WanaBana brand apple cinnamon puree products in your home, do not eat them or feed them to your children. Dispose of the products immediately.
• If your child has consumed this product, discuss blood lead testing with your child’s healthcare provider.

DHHS recommends that, in accordance with state law, all children be tested for lead during their well-child visit at age 1 and again at age 2, when hand-to-mouth behavior is highest.

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For additional consumer and industry assistance, visit the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.