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

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 29, 2023

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, WuthC@michigan.gov

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

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are advising consumers to continue to be aware that specific brands of applesauce containing cinnamon have been voluntarily recalled due to high levels of lead.

This advisory applies to the following brands of applesauce puree that contain cinnamon:

• 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 (local supermarket brand available in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin). The affected lots were identified as 05023:19, 09023:22 and 09023:24.
• Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches (local supermarket brand available in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Delaware). The affected lot was identified as 05023:28. 

“There is no safe level of lead for any person, particularly for babies and children,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “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 should 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 (µg/dL).

To learn more about blood lead testing, visit the MI Lead Safe webpage.

Consumers and health care providers can monitor updates about this recall at bit.ly/FDA-Applesauce-Recall.