WanaBana USA is voluntarily recalling WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches due to reports of elevated levels of lead found in certain units of the product.

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 good health. Lead exposure in children is often difficult to see. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. If you suspect that your child might have consumed this product, parents should talk to your child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test. Lead poisoning can only be diagnosed through clinical testing. Although signs and 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

WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches were distributed nationwide through online and retail stores. The affected product information is as follows:

Product Name: WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree in 3-pack pouches of 2.5 oz. Affected Batches:

BatchUnits BatchUnits
10022:2133165 01023:0348735
11022: 0822185 01023:1762235
11022:0923730 01023:2367590
11022:1033420 01023:2760975
11022:1212120 01023:30101205
11022:1429025 01023:3199180
11022:1532085 02023:0784780
11022:1634860 02023:18129600
12022:2364170 04023:2396090
   04023:24138240
   04023:2564395
   04023:2668805
   05023:0885950
   05023:09101520
   05023:1089460
   05023:1195535
   05023:1588605
   10022:3133165

WanaBana USA has initiated a voluntary recall of the affected batches and is working closely with the FDA to investigate the source of the contamination. The company is committed to ensuring the safety of its products and the well-being of its consumers.

Four illnesses have been reported to date, leading North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to investigate and sample the pouches. North Carolina’s analyses came back with elevated concentrations of lead which could result in acute toxicity. WanaBana USA is working to investigate the source of the contamination.

Consumers who have purchased WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches with the specified batch numbers and expiration dates are urged to stop using the product immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have been exposed to lead should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Consumers with questions can email the company at support@wanabanafruits.com.

FDA Advisory
 


Fairmont Foods, Inc., a Fairmont, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 147,132 pounds of frozen spaghetti loops with meat sauce entrée products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains egg, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. 

The frozen not ready-to-eat spaghetti loops with meat sauce entrée products were produced on various dates from December 2022, through August 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

7.25-oz. tray in-box packages containing “kidfresh Spaghetti Loops Meat Sauce” with lot codes FF120722, FF011823, FF021623, FF032323, FF042623, FF071923, or FF081023 and a “best if used by” date ranging from April 2024 to December 2024 on the side of the box.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2WM” on the side of the box, below the “best if used by” date. These items were shipped to distributors in Georgia, Indiana, and Texas for further distribution to the retail level.                  

The problem was discovered by the producing establishment while conducting a routine ingredient label review. They notified FSIS that egg, a known allergen, was not declared on the finished product label. The problem occurred after a change in noodle formulation by the supplier.

One customer who has an egg allergy reported an adverse reaction after eating the product. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.  

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution lists will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact John Heuer, Executive Vice President, Fairmont Foods, Inc., at 507-238-9001 or john.heuer@fairmontfoods.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.