3 recalled applesauce brands have been linked to 22 children across 14 states getting sick from lead. No level of lead exposure is safe for kids.

• Three brands of applesauce pouches have been recalled after they were found to contain lead.
• 22 toddlers in 14 states were found to have high blood lead levels linked to the products.

Three recalled cinnamon applesauce products containing "extremely high levels of lead" have been linked to 22 toddlers falling ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is no safe level of lead in children's blood and it can cause serious long-term harm including damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavioral problems, and decreased ability to pay attention, the CDC said in a health alert on Monday.

Health officials investigated WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée in 3-pack pouches of 2.5 ounces after 22 toddlers aged one to three who had eaten them were found to have high blood lead levels in 14 states, the FDA said.

The states were: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

The CDC considers 3.5 micrograms per deciliter a higher level of lead exposure than normal in most children, and those affected had levels ranging from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.

They experienced symptoms including headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in activity levels, and anemia.

Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs, and Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches have also been recalled, but no cases of illness related to either have been reported, according to a WanaBana LCC press release.

Lead exposure is most harmful to children under six

Lead is toxic to humans and can affect anyone of any age, however, it is particularly harmful to children under the age of six because their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly, according to the CDC.

Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure, the press release said, so if a child may have eaten one of these products, parents should talk to their healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test.

Short-term exposure can result in symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and anemia. Longer-term exposure can lead to irritability, lethargy, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, tremor, and weight loss, according to the FDA.

Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis-brand apple cinnamon pouches and should discard them, the FDA said.

"WanaBana USA has initiated a voluntary recall of all 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," the company said in the press release.