W&L Helping Children with Lead Poisoning from Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches

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Weitz & Luxenberg is investigating claims of children with lead poisoning from cinnamon applesauce pouches. These products were sold by WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis Markets.

Your Children Deserve to Eat Safe Foods

“When your child eats food, you expect it to be safe. Unfortunately, that is not the situation here,” says attorney Ellen Relkin, a W&L partner. “No one expects their child to get lead poisoning from applesauce. The corporations who created this issue and caused your child to be damaged must pay for what they did.”

Ms. Relkin invites you to contact our firm, W&L, “I want to help any families affected by this horrible situation. If you fed your kids applesauce and they have lead poisoning, reach out to us. If you have reason to suspect they have lead poisoning, we can help you get them tested.”

Cinnamon Is the Source of Contamination

Lead is a toxic mineral that has serious negative health effects, including death. It is especially harmful to children.

The lead contamination is believed to stem from cinnamon supplied by Negasmart to an Ecuadorian facility, Austrofoods. It used the ingredient in its fruit processing. ⁽¹⁾

The dangerous lead levels were first detected when reports of illness were investigated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. ⁽²⁾

Companies Recall Applesauce

WanaBana issued a voluntary recall of its cinnamon fruit pouches on October 30, 2023, due to extremely high levels of lead. ⁽³⁾ Schnucks did the same, issuing a recall of its cinnamon applesauce pouches on November 3, 2023. ⁽⁴⁾ Weis Markets recalled its pouches on November 6, 2023. ⁽⁵⁾

For more information on affected products and lot numbers visit:

• WanaBana
• Schnucks
• Weis

Children Across the U.S. Suffer from Lead Poisoning

At least 22 states have been affected by the recall, claims ABC News in their Spotlight on America. There are suspected cases in at least two more states as the total number of cases of lead poisoning from applesauce pouches continues to climb. ⁽⁶⁾

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes, “As of December 5, 2023, FDA has received 64 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled product. To date, confirmed complainants, or people who an adverse event was submitted for, are under 6 years of age.” ⁽⁷⁾

Elevated Lead Toxicity Levels Are Harmful

Any exposure to lead can be harmful, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC explains elevated toxicity levels are “a blood lead level of 3.5 ug/dL or higher measured within 3 months after consuming a recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis brand fruit purée product after November 2022.” ⁽⁸⁾

And “these pouches were packed with it, with one pouch containing 200 times the level of lead the FDA has proposed as the action level for food consumed by toddlers and babies,” reports ABC News. ⁽⁹⁾

Lead Poisons People

Lead poisoning in children is diagnosed with a blood test. ⁽¹⁰⁾ Any exposure to lead can cause harm. Acute exposure can result in brain, kidney, and nerve damage. Extreme levels of toxicity can be lethal. ⁽¹¹⁾

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Here are some of the most common symptoms of lead poisoning in children: ⁽¹²⁾

• Seizures.
• Developmental delay.
• Difficulty learning.
• Hearing loss.
• Vomiting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Constipation.
• Fatigue or sluggishness.
• Irritability.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.

If you are a parent or caregiver, your first course of action should be to seek medical treatment if you notice these symptoms in your child.

Your next step should be pursuing legal action.

Filing a Lead Poisoning Lawsuit

When your child is hurt, you want the companies who caused the damage to pay for their actions. Filing a lawsuit could bring your family justice, and compensation for your child’s pain and suffering. It can also help with medical bills.

You need to hire an attorney, since these legal cases can be complicated. Your attorney needs to be experienced with personal injury litigation — and more specifically — with cases involving lead poisoning in children.

W&L Can Help If Your Child Has Lead Poisoning

Weitz & Luxenberg’s personal injury team has the perfect blend of compassion and experience. We’ve also had successful outcomes for our clients.

This includes the case of Flint, Michigan. Residents — especially children — were being poisoned by lead in their drinking water.

W&L helped secure a $626 million win in that case. It was the largest civil settlement in the history of the State of Michigan.

W&L knows the law and has the background and experience. Our dedicated attorneys are ready to help you with your cinnamon applesauce pouch lawsuit.

Call us for a free consultation at (833) 977-3437. Or fill out our online form. Let us help your child.