"Lead Poisoning Outbreak: 52 Children Sickened by Recalled Fruit Pouches"

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that an additional 18 children have fallen ill due to lead contamination in recently recalled applesauce fruit pouches, bringing the total number of affected children to 52. The pouches, sold under the WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weiss brands, were found to contain 200 times the FDA's proposed action level for lead. The source of the contamination is believed to be the cinnamon used in the recalled products. Despite the recall, some stores still have the affected pouches on their shelves, prompting the FDA to urge consumers to avoid purchasing or consuming the product and to properly discard any remaining pouches. Lead exposure can have serious health effects, particularly in children, including damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, and learning and behavior problems.