ATLANTA — Georgia health officials are investigating more cases of lead poisoning in kids potentially linked to recalled applesauce pouches.
A spokesperson for the state's Department of Public Health confirmed the state is now looking into eight cases, recommending parents and caregivers with children who've consumed the recalled products contact the child's doctor about getting a blood test for lead.
11Alive News reached out to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for updates as the number of suspected cases grows. The agency is still working on a response, but numbers released by the FDA on Nov. 22 indicate at least 52 reports of kids with elevated blood lead levels possibly related to exposure to Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches. The now-recalled pouches were manufactured in Ecuador and sold under WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks brands.
Experts emphasize even small amounts of lead exposure can harm growing bodies and brains of kids.
"Too high of a lead level can impact the way a child learns as they get older," Dr. Jennifer Shu, pediatrician at Children's Medical Group, explained. "It can cause things like anemia, stomachaches and even more serious symptoms as seizures and brain problems."
The difficulty, Shu said, is that lead poisoning often carries no warning signs and may take time to show up.
"Many kids don't have any symptoms, and parents may not even know," Shu said. "Now that we know there is a recall of these products, it may alert more parents to go ask for this test just to find out how their kids are doing."
Shu said the blood test is standard at most pediatricians' offices and usually just takes a finger prick to complete.
The FDA meanwhile was already working on tightening regulations around baby food products prior to the latest recall, part of the agency's longtime efforts at regulating lead exposure in food and through other sources like paint.
A 2021 congressional report added to that pressure, revealing dangerous metals ranging from arsenic to lead and mercury found in baby food from seven top companies in the United States. In January, the FDA released proposed industry limits for lead in baby food. The guidance is still under review, but in a statement to NBC News, an FDA spokesperson said the agency should be able to finalize the guidelines by early 2025. Even in the absence of new guidelines, however, the agency is able to take regulatory action if it determines specific products are unsafe, the spokesperson added..