Lead exposure in young children is serious. Even low levels of lead can lead to problems with behavior and intelligence. Symptoms of lead poisoning include:
- aggressiveness
- irritation
- interruption in sleep habits
- hard stools and constipation
- decrease in eating and activity levels
- stomach cramps
- headaches
In addition, if your child seems to be "losing" skills that were previously performed with ease, this is also a sign. Have your health care provider test your child immediately.
- Tamarind Lollipops
- Super Lucas
- Tamarind Candy in Ceramic Jars
- Storck Eucalyptus-Menthol Candy
- Chocolate Flavored Lentil Candy
- Bolirindo
- Chaca Chaca
- Vera Mango
- Canel's Chewing Gum
Lead can seep into products through wrappers or ink on the wrappers, which contains lead. In other instances, products are stored in ceramic crocks that have lead paints or glazes. Sometimes even the molds used to make these products contain lead. Another problem lies in the source of ingredients. The manufacturer of the candy may not be the problem, but the company who supplies the chili powder, for example, might be using a process that leads to high lead levels in the product.
The FDA recently released a new guideline with a lower acceptable level of lead in order to prevent any instances of poisoning. In part, this was done because of the amount of candy children are likely to consume in one sitting.
Ongoing testing of imported candies (along with their wrappers and containers) is being done to ensure safety.
The FDA is working with officials in other countries to educate manufacturers of candies so that these items can be produced safely in the future.
Limit your child's exposure to imported candies, especially those containing tamarind and chili powder. Not all brands or types have been tested and some of the brands you see may have already been recalled. Recalls depend on the actions of vendors and others, so there is no government entity that checks every vendor to make sure they've removed the offending product.
In addition, if you feel your child may have consumed these candies and is exhibiting signs of lead poisoning, have him tested.
