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More Lead Found in Imported Plum Candy

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Consumers are being warned not to eat Ego Sour Plum candy imported from China after tests conducted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found unacceptable levels of lead. Anyone who has the candy should discard it immediately, the CDPH said Wednesday. 
Recent analysis determined that Ego Sour Plum candy contained as much as 0.17 parts per million (ppm) of lead, according to CDPH.  California considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 ppm to be contaminated. Ego Sour Plum candy is manufactured by Kee Wee Hip Kee Trading in Malaysia. Trans Asian Food Center, from Australia, which imports and distributes the candy, has initiated a voluntary recall of the product. CDPH is working with the distributor to ensure that the contaminated candies are removed from the marketplace. 
Ego Sour Plum candy is sold in a brightly colored orange cellophane packaging with the brand name EGO at the top left corner and the word "Sour" circled in purple with white letters. The word "Plum" is listed below in blue and the word "candy" appears in very large dark orange print. The package is clear in the center and the candy, which is individually wrapped, can be seen through the package -- each wrapped package has the words "Plum Candy" and "Ego" on it. The package contains 30 pieces of candy.
Pregnant women and parents of children who may have eaten this candy should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed, CDPH said. 
Anyone finding the candy for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 800-495-3232. More information is available on the CDPH Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch website.
Excessive levels of lead have recently been found in several imported salted or candied treats made from plums.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on November 04, 2010 (boomark / email).