County of Marin Health and Human Services

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)

Advisory

FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating a potential link between high BLLs and consuming certain cinnamon-containing apple purée and applesauce products.

State partners tested multiple lots of the reported products, and test results indicated the products contained extremely high levels of lead. WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis have initiated voluntary recalls of certain lots of the following products:

  • WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches
  • Schnucks brand cinnamon applesauce pouches
  • Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches

More information about the specific recalled products may be found on the FDA’s website: Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Applesauce Pouches (November 2023) | FDA

Recommendations for the Public (Parents, Caregivers, Guardians):

  • Do not buy, eat, sell, or serve recalled cinnamon-containing applesauce pouch products because they may contain lead.
  • Parents and caregivers of children who may have consumed recalled products should contact the child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test for lead.

Updated:  11.14.2023

Recent Updates

Lead Poisoning

Lead is a toxic metal that has been used in many products over time. Even in small amounts, lead can have harmful effects on the body, which may lead to lifelong learning, behavioral, reproductive, cardiovascular, and other health problems. While many leaded products have been phased out, lead may still be found in and around older homes and buildings, in certain occupations and hobbies, and some consumer products, remedies, and foods. Lead poisoning is one of the most common environmental illnesses in California, but is completely preventable.

Sources of Lead:

  • Paint
  • Drinking Water
  • Foods, Cosmetics and Medicines
  • Soil
  • Consumer Products
  • Jobs, Hobbies, or Activities

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. The most important step that parents and caregivers, healthcare providers, and public health professionals can take is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs

The Marin County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program works towards eliminating childhood lead poisoning and promoting lead-safe work practices.  Lead-based paint is of a particular concern in Marin County, where more than 74% of the housing was built before 1978.  The older the home, the more likely that there are high levels of lead in the paint. Chipping paint, flaking paint, or paint that is being scraped, sanded, or disturbed during remodeling or repairing can create lead dust.

Resources for Families

  • Lead Information for Families
  • BenefitsCal is a one-stop-shop for CalFresh (food assistance), CalWORKS (cash assistance), and Medi-Cal (health coverage) benefits for eligible California families and individuals.
  • The California Department of Social Services CalFresh website provides information about the California food assistance program and how to apply for benefits. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) benefits may be eligible for CalFresh.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Explained: This article explains the federal nutrition program, including how to check eligibility for the program, how to apply, and how families can use SNAP benefits.
  • Covered California: Medi-Cal and Covered California use the same application. This means families can apply once at CoveredCA.com to find out which program they qualify for. Some households qualify for both programs. Families already enrolled in Medi-Cal can learn about the new requirement to renew eligibility every year on Medi-Cal's “Keep Me Covered" web page.

Take Steps to Prevent Lead Exposure:

Providers

If you have a child patient with a venous blood lead level result of ≥4.5 mcg/dL, please contact us directly with patient information.