Busy lifestyles often influence the dietary choices parents make for their children. Many parents seek convenient yet nutritious options. However, not all products that seem healthy are safe. An example of that is WanaBana fruit puree pouches.
Recent statistics on the WanaBana fruit puree pouches recall raised a question: Is your child at risk? This article delves into the reasons behind the WanaBana pouches recall, outlines steps to file a lead exposure WanaBana lawsuit and seek compensation, and explores ways parents can ensure their kids’ safety.
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WanaBana Pouches Recall
WanaBana, a snack company based in Coral Gables, Florida, has issued a recall for its apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches due to dangerously high levels of lead. This Wana Bana pouches recall applies to all product lot codes and expiration dates.
The products are widely distributed across the United States and available at retailers including Amazon, Dollar Tree, and Sam’s Club. On October 28, 2023 the Food and Drug Administration advised that children’s fruit puree pouches might contain lead at levels that could lead to poisoning if consumed, leading to the WanaBana fruit puree pouches recall.
What is Lead Poisoning?
Lead poisoning is a serious health concern caused by exposure to lead, a toxic metal once commonly used in household products. Since 1978, lead-based paints, kid’s toys, and furniture have been prohibited in the US. No level of lead exposure is considered safe, as even small amounts can have serious health impacts.
Lead is especially harmful to a child’s development. People of all ages can be affected by lead, but pregnant women and children under the age of six are more vulnerable. This increased vulnerability is due to their bodies’ increased rate of lead absorption during developmental stages.
Lead can enter the body through ingestion or inhalation. Just 1% of the lead in food or water is absorbed by adults. However, around 50% of the lead in water and food products is absorbed by infants and young children.
Lead poisoning is a hazardous condition, but it can be prevented with appropriate measures.
Initial Discovery of Lead Poisoning in Applesauce Pouches
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, a 1-year-old girl was diagnosed with lead poisoning after the consumption of WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches. This incident led to the first WanaBana fruit pouch lead poisoning lawsuit.
Although there is no acceptable level of lead exposure, children who have higher than average levels can be identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using a marker of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. The girl’s blood lead level was found to be 20 mcg/dL, significantly higher than the normal level of 3.5 mcg/dL or below.
The family claims that when high amounts of lead were discovered in their daughter’s blood, they were in panic for months.
According to the fruit pouches lawsuit that Eric and Heather Goolsby filed, a routine examination revealed the elevated lead levels.
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Widespread Lead Poisoning
After the first WanaBana lawsuit, health officials in North Carolina reported four children suffering from lead poisoning. Upon investigation, it was discovered that numerous batches of WanaBana applesauce pouches contained “extremely high concentrations of lead.”
WanaBana USA recalled its apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches shortly after federal officials warned about potential lead poisoning risks in children. The WanaBana pouches recall was a response to findings that linked the pouches to at least four cases of lead toxicity in children.
The FDA, after being alerted by North Carolina health officials about four children with elevated blood lead levels and acute lead poisoning, identified the source as fruit pouches and advised WanaBana to conduct a applesauce pouch recall.
The issue has affected consumers in several states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, and North Carolina, with at least seven adverse events related to lead poisoning reported to the EPA.
The problem extended to two additional brands, Schnucks® Cinnamon Apple Sauce Fruit Pouches and Weis Quality® Cinnamon Apple Sauce Pouches, both of which were recalled on November 3, 2023.
On November 14, 2023, nearly 22 toddlers in 14 states had lead poisoning connected to tainted pouches containing cinnamon, apple puree, and applesauce. U.S. health officials are alerting physicians to be on the lookout for potential cases of lead poisoning in children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that at least one child who was among the impacted children, aged one to three, had a blood lead level that was eight times higher than what is considered concerning.
The blood lead levels of the afflicted children varied from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.
According to the agency, children who have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches ought to undergo testing to rule out lead poisoning.
Lead Exposure Side Effects
Short-term exposure to lead can result in various health issues, including
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anemia
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
According to the CDC, lead exposure can significantly impact children’s health, leading to life-long effects such as
- Nervous system damage
- Brain damage
- Behavior problems
- Learning problems
- Slowed growth
- Speech and hearing problem
- Low IQ
If parents or other caregivers gave their kids these recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches, they should contact a doctor and inquire about getting the kid tested for lead. Lead poisoning can only be identified through a blood test. Even if children have hazardous levels of lead in their bodies, they might not exhibit any symptoms of lead poisoning.
How is a Lead-Poisoning Test Conducted?
To check if your child’s blood contains lead, a medical professional conducts a simple test. A small sample of the child’s blood is drawn from their finger or arm to determine the level of lead in their blood.
The first step in figuring out whether a child has lead in their blood is often to take a capillary sample from their finger. Finger-prick tests can yield findings quickly, but they can also yield more accurate results if the sample contains lead from the skin.
You can be advised to undergo a more accurate venous blood test as a follow-up to the capillary test, if your child’s lead level is deemed high.
A venous blood draw involves taking a child’s blood from a vein. This test result takes several days to receive.
This blood lead test determines the lead concentration in a child’s blood in deciliters and micrograms (µg/dL). The range of blood lead levels is from normal (less than 2 µg/dL) to extremely harmful (more than 20 µg/dL).
WanaBana Lawsuit Update 2024
The FDA has increased the number of cases related to WanaBana products from 69 in 28 states in mid-December to 87 as of January 8, and 31 states have reported cases. At first, everyone affected was younger than six. The impacted age now includes 53 years old, with 1 year serving as the median.
According to USA Today, the CDC has documented 321 instances across 38 states in its surveillance of the lead poisoning outbreak linked to cinnamon applesauce, marking an increase from the previous count of 205 cases in 33 states. Among these reported cases:
- 86 have been verified.
- 209 are categorized as most likely.
- 26 are considered suspect.
For inclusion in the CDC statistics, individuals must exhibit elevated blood levels within three months of consuming one of the implicated products after November 2022.
Chromium Contamination
Chromium, a naturally occurring nutrient, is typically found in small amounts in our diets and supplements. However, a carcinogenic form of chromium, present in lead chromate, has been discovered in certain spice products.
The FDA identified elevated chromium levels in cinnamon samples from an Ecuadorian facility, linked to recalled products like WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches. Reanalysis of WanaBana samples showed lower chromium levels, but testing couldn’t pinpoint the specific type. Previous tests also revealed dangerously high lead concentrations in the cinnamon, far exceeding proposed limits for baby and toddler food.
On February 6, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration stated that a single cinnamon processor in Ecuador was probably responsible for the contamination of the recall on applesauce pouches. The contamination is from a single cinnamon processor in Ecuador, identified as Carlos Aguilera, whose cinnamon was sourced from Sri Lanka.
Aguilera’s cinnamon was used in the production of the pouches at the Austrofoods facility in Ecuador, with the cinnamon supply chain also involving another Ecuadorian supplier, Negasmart. Aguilera denies the accusation, but his business is currently not operational. WanaBana, the manufacturer, is cooperating with the FDA’s investigation, which began late last year, focusing on lead contamination in various apple cinnamon products, including those sold under different supermarket brands.
Wanabana Files Bankruptcy
Wanabana, the company that makes apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, meaning it will close and sell its assets to pay off debts. The company owes $26 million but only has $500,000 to $1 million in assets.
This bankruptcy follows an applesauce recall last year due to high lead levels in their products, which caused lead poisoning in children. The lead contamination came from a cinnamon supplier in Ecuador, and it was found in products sold under various brands and stores.
Several parents have sued Wanabana after their children got lead poisoning from the applesauce. However, because of the bankruptcy, the company’s assets will be divided among its creditors, leaving little for compensation to affected families. The CDC reported 519 cases of lead poisoning linked to the applesauce, with 136 confirmed. Health experts say even low levels of lead can harm children’s development and contribute to many deaths in the U.S. every year.
FDA Warning Letter to Dollar Tree
The lead and chromium-contaminated WanaBana apple sauce pouches stayed on Dollar Tree shelves for months after a recall, leading to illnesses, nearly five hundred children. Despite the FDA’s warning and recall in October 2023, Dollar Tree continued selling the products until December. The FDA criticized Dollar Tree for not effectively removing the pouches and demanded a response within 15 days to address the issue or face legal action.
How Do You Get WanaBana Pouches Recall Refund?
Customers who bought WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches with the designated batch numbers and expiration dates must stop using the product right away and return it to the retailer for a complete refund.
Can You Sue For Lead Poisoning?
You have the right to sue for lead poisoning, but winning lead exposure lawsuit is not always easy. A skilled attorney can assist you throughout the challenging process. To succeed in a WanaBana lead poisoning lawsuit, medical records are crucial. There are already other lead-tainted lawsuits like Weis fruit pouch snack lawsuits and Schnucks fruit pouch snack lawsuits.
Medical record review services aid attorneys in examining the extensive medical history related to lead exposure and testing. These records serve as proof of your health issues. It is essential that the effects of your lead exposure are clearly reflected in your medical records, making it easier for the attorney to present this as evidence.
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If you or your child have been affected by WanaBana lead exposure, it is advisable to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Conclusion
As everyone knows, parents are responsible for purchasing food for their children. They play a pivotal role in shaping their children’s dietary habits and ensuring their safety from environmental hazards like lead poisoning. It is crucial for them to encourage healthy snacks and serve as an example of good eating practices for their children.
This WanaBana fruit pouch lawsuit serves as a reminder that parents must be aware of lead poisoning and take the necessary precautions to keep their kids safe.
