The FDA Recalls Fruit Pouches Contaminated With Lead

I have three young boys who grew up snacking on fruit pouches. They're portable, resealable, and honestly quite tasty. Yes, I've tried them all! Though my kids now have strong teeth to chomp on whole fruits and have outgrown the pouches, I know lots of parents rely on them to keep their children nourished and happy. For parents that do, take note of a recent recall of fruit pouches.

This month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recalled the following fruit puree pouches and warned parents not to feed them to children because they contain elevated levels of lead:

• WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches
• Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack: lots 05023:19, 09023:22 and 09023:24
• Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches: lot 05023:28

WanaBana products are sold nationally and are available at Amazon, Dollar Tree, and online. The FDA warned that the recalled products are still being sold at multiple Dollar Trees nationally, and recommends that you do not purchase them. Schnucks products are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets, and Weis products are sold at Weis.

As of November 22, the FDA reported 52 cases potentially linked to the recall; those impacted were young children under one to four years of age. If you suspect lead poisoning from eating any of the recalled products, contact your healthcare provider. Though there haven't been additional cases reported, you can track the updates on the FDA's website.

What To Do If You Have the Pouches at Home

Check your pantry for the recalled pouches—they have a long shelf-life so you may have purchased some before the recall. Do not eat any of the recalled fruit puree pouches. You can return them to the store for a full refund or you can discard them. The FDA recommends opening and squeezing the fruit puree into the garbage and washing your hands afterward.