The Food and Drug Administration reported that additional children were likely affected by apple puree pouches that were recently recalled due to high levels of harmful lead contamination.

The FDA’s latest update on their investigation reveals that 52 cases of children with increased lead levels have been reported after consuming the products. This is an increase from the 34 cases reported last week. The reports come from 22 different states and involve children aged 1 to 4.

The fruit puree pouches were targeted towards parents and young children and were sold under three different brands: WanaBana’s apple cinnamon flavor, and Schnucks and Weis’ cinnamon applesauce pouches. These products were available at major supermarket chains, including Dollar Tree, as well as online stores like Amazon.

The FDA is currently collaborating with Dollar Tree to remove the recalled items from shelves in multiple states.

The agency stated that this product should not be sold and consumers should not buy or use it.

According to the agency, parents are advised to empty the contents of the pouches into the trash and throw away the packaging.

On Wednesday, the FDA announced that they are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the origin of the contamination. They had previously stated that cinnamon from a manufacturer in Ecuador was the probable cause of the lead contamination.

Exposure to lead can result in significant challenges with learning and behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that substances such as lead, a heavy metal, can contaminate food sources through various means including soil, air, water, and industrial methods.

The CDC sets a threshold of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to classify children with elevated levels of lead, although any amount of exposure is considered unsafe. The children tested had blood lead levels between 4 and 29 micrograms per deciliter.

___

The Science and Educational Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provides support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. The AP is solely responsible for all of its content.