(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Last month, Wanabana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches were recalled due to lead contamination and since then, the Camden County Health Department has worked diligently to ensure that all locations where the product is typically sold has cleared it from shelves.
The recall was due to elevated lead levels in more than 50 children across the country. Since November 9, the Health Department has investigated all Dollar Tree, combination Dollar Tree/Dollar General stores, and Amazon fulfillment centers to determine the presence of, and destroy or embargo all the pouches; both single pouch and 3-pack pouches.
“We sent environmental health specialists out to any and all locations that this product is sold to make sure that retailers are aware of the recall and have removed the pouches from shelves,” said Caryelle Lasher, director of the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “To date, all 19 Dollar Tree locations in Camden County have cooperated, and we have had no reports of the tainted products being available for purchase since the recall date.”
Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong health.
“If you still have these products at home, throw them away immediately,” Lasher continued. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will update the public with any important information.”
Although symptoms of lead toxicity vary, short term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain/Colic
- Vomiting
- Anemia
Longer term exposure could result in additional symptoms:
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning
- Occasional abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Difficulty concentrating/Muscular exhaustibility
- Headache
- Tremor
- Weight loss