More children sickened by lead-tainted applesauce in Georgia, nationwide numbers grow

Georgia officials have confirmed that seven children in the state have fallen ill due to lead exposure from tainted applesauce pouches, which are suspected to be linked to the now-recalled pouches.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies cases as confirmed when a person exhibits an elevated blood lead level within three months of consuming a recalled product.

Home assessments are conducted to rule out other potential sources before confirming a case. Testing on the recalled product itself is not mandatory.

Lead poses a significant risk to children as their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its damaging effects. The CDC uses a threshold of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to confirm cases of lead exposure.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received 64 reports of adverse events in children aged 5 or younger potentially linked to the recalled products. Nationally, the CDC has received 52 reports of high blood lead levels in children potentially associated with the recalled applesauce. The FDA and CDC have different data sources, and the recall for these products began in late October.

The FDA is focusing on cinnamon from a manufacturer in Ecuador as the source of elevated lead levels and has initiated an on-site inspection at the Austrofood facility in Ecuador, which distributes WanaBana products in the United States.

The FDA reported that Negasmart, the supplier of cinnamon to Austrofood, is under an administrative sanctions process in Ecuador to determine responsibility for the contamination.

Recalled applesauce pouches include WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches (sold nationally), Schnucks cinnamon applesauce pouches (sold in Midwest states), and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches (sold in Mid-Atlantic states). The WanaBana brand was sold nationwide and online, while the other brands were sold at regional grocery stores.

Lead poisoning is relatively common, with one in 40 children aged 1 to 5 years having lead blood levels above the threshold for elevated levels.

Importantly, there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead can contaminate plants through air or water pollution, and it is commonly found in imported spices, candies, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements. Testing for blood lead levels is crucial, with the CDC using 3.5 micrograms per deciliter as a marker to identify children with higher lead levels.

A recent CDC report indicated affected children had blood lead levels ranging from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter, with the latter being eight times higher than the level of concern.