The Orange County Register has conducted an investigation on candy sold in California which in many instances has contained dangerous levels of lead. Among the paper’s findings:
- 112 brands of candy – most coming from Mexico – registered dangerous levels of lead over the past decade. In 101 cases, no action was taken against the candy makers. The results were kept confidential, and the candy remained on store shelves.
- Repeated high tests aren’t enough to set off the state’s warning system. California health officials issued seven public-health advisories for candy but have done nothing about 37 brands that tested high multiple times. One, the Tama Roca lollipop, tested high 28 times with no action.
- Even when preliminary tests reveal candy samples with dangerous lead levels, regulators haven’t always followed up with more testing.
- The state makes no effort to notify candy companies in Mexico when their brands test high enough to harm a child. Candy maker after candy maker said they had no idea regulators had found lead in their products.
Reportedly, one in four tests of Mexican candy since 1993 has come up high for lead. Yet the California Department of Health Services claims it doesn’t have the resources or jurisdiction to tackle the problem.
Something isn’t right with this picture.