CDC Health Advisory

Multiple states have reported potential cases of high blood lead levels (BLLs) in children consuming recalled cinnamon-containing applesauce products that have high levels of lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises clinicians and health departments to consider the possibility of illness due to lead exposure and report cases to their local health authorities.

FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating a potential link between high BLLs and consuming certain cinnamon-containing apple purée and applesauce products.


Recommendations for the Public (Parents, Caregivers, Guardians)


  1. Do not buy, eat, sell, or serve recalled cinnamon-containing applesauce pouch products because they may contain lead.
  2. Parents and caregivers of children who may have consumed recalled products should contact the child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test for lead.

State partners tested multiple lots of the reported products, and test results indicated the products contained extremely high levels of lead. WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis have initiated voluntary recalls of certain lots of the following products:


  • WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches
  • Schnucks brand cinnamon applesauce pouches
  • Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches


More information about the specific recalled products may be found on the FDA’s website: Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Applesauce Pouches (November 2023) | FDA

Lead toxicit primarily targets the central nervous system. Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults because their nervous systems are still developing. Children also tend to absorb a higher fraction of ingested lead than adults. Although children with lead exposure may have no apparent acute symptoms, even low levels of lead have been associated with learning, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. A child who is exposed to large amounts of lead may develop acute lead poisoning, presenting with gastrointestinal, hematological, and neurological effects, including one or more of the following signs and symptoms: anemia, abdominal pain, weakness, and severe neurological sequelae (e.g., seizures, encephalopathy, and coma), which may result in brain damage. Some effects of lead poisoning in a child may continue into adulthood. Adults who have high BLLs may be at increased risk for high blood pressure, other cardiovascular effects, kidney problems, adverse reproductive outcomes, and gout. More information about adverse effects of lead exposure can be found in the ATSDR Lead Toxicological Profile.


Information provided from the CDC website
Link: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00500.asp


Additional Information
Link: Should I worry about lead in my child’s cinnamon applesauce pouch? - HealthyChildren.org

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