Community Corner

Lead Candy Warning

These popular Mexican treats -- made in China -- should be discarded.

Dangerous amounts of lead have been found in two popular candies this Halloween season, leading the County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health to issue a warning to consumers.

"Saladitos con Chile"  and "Saladitos con Limón" are distributed by Candy El Pecas of Chula Vista. The company, working with state and county health officials, has initiated a voluntary recall of the two products.

Saladitos -- dried, salted plums, flavored with either chili powder or lime -- are popular treats with Mexican and Mexican-American families this time of year. However, these particular brands were made in China and have been found to contain high levels of lead, which can be poisonous and can cause developmental delays in young children. In extreme cases, lead poisoning can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system of young children, and can cause convulsions, coma and even death.

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The county is asking parents to discard either of these two candies immediately. Children and pregnant women who have consumed them are being advised to see their doctors as soon as possible for testing.

If you see either of these products for sale in local stores, the county is asking shoppers to call the Environmental Health department at 619-338-2283. For more information about lead poisoning, visit www.sdlead.org or call 619-515-6694.

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