Tainted Applesauce Now Linked to More Than 200 Lead Poisoning Cases
By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2023 -- More than 200 cases of lead poisoning linked to contaminated fruit puree pouches have now been reported in the United States, up from 125 cases in the last weekly tally, with 33 states now reporting poisonings, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest update.
States reporting new cases to the CDC include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. How many cases have been reported in each state is unclear because the CDC has withheld state-specific counts, pointing to patient privacy, CBS News reported.
The median age for cases in the investigation "is nearly 2 years old," a CDC spokesperson told CBS News, though reports have come in for children as old as 9 years.
Federal officials have urged state health departments to seek out cases of lead poisoning, which could be missed if children who ate the lead-tainted applesauce do not get blood tests from their doctor for the toxic metal.
Austrofoods, which makes the now-recalled WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches, said Monday it will reimburse customers for up to $150 for lead tests.
CBS News Article
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted December 2023
Read this next
Child Blood Lead Positively Linked to Household Firearm Ownership
TUESDAY, March 19, 2024 -- Elevated child blood lead is positively associated with household firearm ownership, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in The Journal of...
Childhood Lead Exposure Widespread in Chicago
MONDAY, March 18, 2024 -- Childhood lead exposure is widespread in Chicago and there are racial inequities evident in testing rates and exposure levels, according to a study...
FDA: Ground Cinnamon Products May Contain Toxic Levels of Lead
WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2024 -- A health advisory has been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding six brands of ground cinnamon that contain elevated levels of...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.