Photo: Getty Images
The California Attorney General's Office issued a consumer alert related to dried plum fruit and candy products that reportedly contain dangerous levels of lead.
According to CNS, California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office sent letters directing retailers to remove the products, many of which are marketed to children, from shelves immediately.
The office said testing revealed many of the products contained lead levels that "far exceed" the maximum allowable dosage under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. This requires a warning for products that cause lead exposure over 0.5 micrograms per day.
Products that are sold in the San Diego area include:
- El Chavito Saladitos Enchilados Salted Plums W/Chili
- El Leoncito Ponchin Saladitos con Chile/Dry Salted Plums with Chili
- El Super Leon Saladitos/Dry Salted Plums with Chili & Chamoy
- Hola Lobito Fresco Ciruela Salada Sabor Limon/Lemon Flavored Salted Plum
- La Fiesta Saladitos Con Chile/Salted Plums with Chili
- Alamo Candy Saladitos Con Limon/Dried Salted Plums with Lemon
- Lupag Saladitos Con Chile/Chile Salted Plums
- Spice and Chili Saladitos with Chili
- Snackerz Saladitos (Salted Plums)
According to FOX5, the rest of the products listed are sold in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“When Californians go into a supermarket to purchase their favorite treat, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether that product might harm them or their children,” said Bonta. “The fact is: Lead is a known public health hazard, and exposure to this neurotoxin can have lasting health consequences. Testing by my office revealed dangerous levels of lead in dried plum fruits and candies being sold at retail outlets across our state. We’re directing retailers to remove these products from their shelves, but if you already have them in your pantry, please check to see if they match the products we’ve identified — and do not consume them if so.”