On the 2nd of January, 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared an update regarding the lead poisoning outbreakcaused by various brands’ cinnamon applesauce pouch products. The FDA shared that: "As of December 29, 2023, CDC has received reports of 80 confirmed cases, 187 probable cases, and 20 suspected cases for a total of 287 cases from 37 different states through their reporting structure." According to the CDC, these illnesses began being reported in mid-October, 2023 and have continued trough December 29, 2023. More cases are expected.
Note: First WanaBana Lead Applesauce Lawsuit Filed
While symptoms of lead poisoning or toxicity can affect persons of any age, it is most commonly experienced by children, as their developing systems cause them to be more susceptible to lead absorption. This has clearly been the case in the cinnamon applesauce outbreak, as evidenced through the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (USDA) data. According to the USDA, the sickened individuals were between the ages of "zero" and fifty-three, with the median age being only one year old. The FDA noted that the symptoms are not often visible right away, which slows reporting, but will likely result in the more immediate symptoms such as “... headache; abdominal pain/colic; vomiting; anemia … irritability; lethargy; fatigue; muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning; constipation; difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness; tremor; weight loss.” Longer term symptoms can include things like lower IQ, test scores that are low, behavioral and developmental deficiencies.
Ron Simon, the first National Food Poisoning Lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit in the WanaBana Lead Poisoning Outbreak, was emphatic when speaking to parents:
“In the case of potential lead poisoning, particularly in a food product often marketed towards children, promptness of action is key. The first step to take when in suspicion of a lead poisoning case, is to contact one’s personal healthcare provider; to seek medical assistance and get tested. Routine testing for a period of time, adn even cognitive and neurological testing, may be required.”
Note: Second Tainted Applesauce with Cinnamon Lawsuit Filed
While the cinnamon applesauce pouches outbreak is ongoing, the following states have reported lead-exposure illnesses in this outbreak: Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Los Angeles, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New England, North Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
