SAN FRANCISCO, C.A.—A Chinese candy mainly distributed in San Francisco and San Jose was recalled after the California Department of Public Health found elevated levels of lead, the department announced on Wednesday.
Qi Cai Bang candy is a thin, brown-colored candy, about three and a half inches long, and is wrapped in a colorful foil. About 100 foil wrapped candies are packed into a clear, hard plastic container. The front of the container has a white and green label with the word "Fengxi" in red and the candy name "Qi Cai Bang" in white. "Happy Easy Going" is printed on a paper label on the red plastic lid of the container.
Recent analysis of this candy by the department of public health determined that it contains approximately six times higher levels of lead than the limit for safe candy. The product measured as much as 0.61 parts per million (ppm) of lead. California considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 ppm to be contaminated. "The product is coming from China and is the responsibility of the US Food and Drug Administration, so we don't have control over the imports of the product, what we can do is test it after it's been within our borders," said Lea Brooks from the California Department of Public Health.
To ensure the safety of foods sold in California, the department conducts random product testing which involves different levels of product examination—wholesale, retail and distributers. At each of these points, products are collected and tested and random check-ups occur throughout the state.
Lead-contaminated candy is particularly harmful to infants, young children and pregnant women, according to the department of public health.
"We've had no complaints in terms of somebody consuming this candy, and we found out about the elevated levels of lead because of a random test," said Brooks.
The source of elevated levels of lead usually comes from toxic food coloring, additives or other sources not determined yet and still under investigation. Product distribution information was not available at the time of the recall.
Information about the recalled candies was released to notify the state's local health departments, and local environmental health departments. Once they know where this product is distributed, health departments personnel go out and do spot-checks to see if the businesses selling the product are pulling the candy off the shelf.
"We do rely on the public to help us, so if you are in a store that still sells the candy, call us," said Brooks.
Consumers who find Qi Cai Bang candy, manufactured by Chaoan Lexiaoyao Food Industry Co. Ltd., for sale are encouraged to call the public health department's complaint hotline at 1-(831) 454-2022, or Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (831) 763-8200.