Most Alarming -- Lead in Candy!


The health dangers associated with exposures to high levels of lead is well documented.   We know that lead poisoning can come from exposures to leaded paints and leaded gasoline, which have been banned in the U.S.  Other sources of contamination are from soils (which have been exposed to leaded gasoline), water (from partly leaded pipes and fixtures), imported cosmetics such as Kohl from the Middle East, many toys from China, lead-glazed pottery, and folk remedies like Azarcon (which is 95% lead!) used to “cure” “empacho” (indigestion).  But candy?  Lead in candy?

The culprit is candy flavored with chili or tamarind, and is mostly imported from Mexico. It comes in a variety of forms:  powders, suckers, hard candy, jelly-like, and chewing gum.  (Some tamarind candy has also tested high from Asian markets.)   So, how does lead get into this type of candy?  There seems to be several ways.  The chilies are processed in sub-standard conditions, and are not cleaned before they are milled.  Then dirt, which has lead, is thrown into the mix.  Sometimes the chilies are dried with dryers fueled by leaded gasoline (banned here is the U.S. in 1986, but not banned in Mexico), which also adds lead.   Then, some of the candy is stored in lead-glazed pots, so the lead leaches in while it is stored.   Also, some of the wrappers that the candy is packaged in has been printed with lead-based ink.  Many children like to lick (or eat) the wrappers, further increasing the amount of lead being ingested.

Lead poisoning is worse in children, especially those aged 5 years or younger.  This includes developing fetuses, because lead does cross the placental barrier.  At this age, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead because this is when their brains and central nervous systems are still developing.   As a powerful neurotoxin, lead not only interferes with the development of these systems, but also affects kidney and blood forming organs.   Even low levels of lead can create learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, and impaired hearing.  Higher levels of lead may cause a child to suffer kidney damage, become mentally retarded, fall into a coma, or even die.   Increased high-school drop out rates, as well as juvenile and criminal activity, have also been linked to children who have had exposure to lead.

Early symptoms of lead poisoning are subtle, and may mimic the flu.  These symptoms include decreased appetite, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, tremors, headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and weight loss.  The only way to know if your child had lead poisoning is through a blood test.  If your child has any of these symptoms, and you suspect it may be from candy, have your child tested.  Blood levels are measured in micrograms per tenth liter of blood.  A blood level of 10 or more is considered unhealthy. 

So, how much is that?  Well, California’s recommended guidelines for “safe” amounts of lead in food is 0.2 ppm (parts per million), while some experts say that the amount of lead in consumable products should not exceed 0.1 ppm.  At 0.3 ppm, a child would only need to eat 2 grams, less than ½ a teaspoon, to exceed the daily maximum levels considered “safe”.  With so much at risk, is any amount of lead “safe”? 

There are many issues surrounding this problem of lead in the candy.  For one thing, there are no regulations regarding the candy, only “recommendations” that are not enforced.  Therefore, responsible individuals are being advised not to eat or allow their children to eat tamarind chili-flavored candies at this time, especially imported candies. 

For more information regarding this subject go to www.ocregister.com/investigations/2004/lead/part1.shtml.   You can also go to www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1247598.  If children do not have a medical provider, parents may call the Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.   There is also a National Lead Information Center which can be reached at (800) 424-5323 and the California Department of Health Services/California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention branch at (510) 622-5000.


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