Hundreds of children may be experiencing lead poisoning. About two dozen toddlers in 14 states are known to have been sickened by lead found in pouches of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce.
The children known to have been harmed range in age from 1 to 3. At least one child showed a blood lead level eight times higher than is deemed dangerous, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
There’s no level of lead exposure deemed safe by the CDC, but the CDC uses a marker of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels than most. The affected children’s blood lead levels ranged up to 29 micrograms per deciliter.
Their symptoms included headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced activity level, and anemia.
The illnesses are part of an outbreak caused by recalled pouches of fruit puree marketed to kids, including WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree, and Schnucks and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches. The pouches were sold both in stores and on the internet. NBC says,
Parents and caregivers should not buy or serve the products, and kids who may have eaten them should be tested for lead levels. Children who are affected may show no symptoms, experts said.
Lead exposure can lead to serious learning and behavior problems. Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The CDC said there were cases in the following states as of Nov. 7: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
