State Asks Consumers to Avoid Eating a Mexican Candy

San Jose Mercury News ^ | July 20, 2007 | The Associated Press

[JACKRUSSELL]

SACRAMENTO—State health officials issued a public warning Friday against eating certain candy from Mexico that appears tainted with high levels of lead.

Department of Public Health Director Dr. Mark Horton warned consumers not to eat De La Rosa Pulparindo candy imported from Mexico.

......De La Rosa Pulparindo is a tamarind pulp candy that comes packed in 10-ounce boxes containing individually wrapped half-ounce candies. The boxes are bright red in color with the word "Pulparindo" boldly printed in black letters.......

[metmom]

It was just a matter of time.....

[ndt]

Not the Pulparindo !! Is nothing sacred?

It's tasty stuff.

[antiunion person]

Why doesn’t the State of Confusion (Mexifornia) just banned the import of this garbage?

[metmom]

There’s something about a food item that has the word *pulp* in it that causes it to lose its appeal to me.

[ndt]

"There’s something about a food item that has the word *pulp* in it that causes it to lose its appeal to me."

It makes me think of pulpo which is octopus in spanish. Not that that is a good name for sweets :)

If you like strong flavors you would probably like this stuff. It's a mix of a sweet (sugar) with a sour (tamarindo) and a hot (chiles) so it gets every taste bud kicking at the same time.

It's the kind of flavor that hurts your tonsils when you eat it.

[metmom]

It makes me think of pulpo which is octopus in spanish.

That didn't help....

[jiggyboy]

A matter of time, nah it seems to be a perennial to me, lead in Mexican candies.

[jiggyboy]

Just so I'm not accused of being a "drive-by poster", here are just a few links from the very first article from a google search of "mexican candy" and "lead". Pick a year, any year, now put it back in the deck:

May 12, 2007 : Tainted Mexican treats turn up at a California distributor despite promises by manufacturers.

June 29, 2006: After two years of wrangling, they settle with California, agreeing to annual audits, testing and paying legal fees.

Dec. 22, 2005: FDA proposes drop in allowable lead in candy. The move is aimed at levels in Mexican treats.

April 30, 2005: Lead-laced candy is still on shelves More than eight months after Mars Inc. announced recall, treats are seen in Santa Ana and Washington, D.C., stores. (note that the recall would have been in 2004)

etc., etc...

http://www.ocregister.com/investigations/2004/lead/index.php

[mom4kittys]

[LSAggie]

Most jelly beans are made in Mexico now so I’m no longer buying jelly beans. I did find some jelly orange slices that were made in Canada. They were delicious.

[mom4kittys]

Even Hershey’s in now made in Mexico. I’m so sad about that.

[Sacajaweau]

Remember the good old days when all we got from Mexico was "jumping beans" and our sons and daughters worked on the farms during the summer.

I think we should push for "summer programs" for teens...not working for the government, Walmart or McDonalds...but working for the farmer next door.

Sure as hell, I didn't learn anything in the supermarket.

Make it a camping program....kinda like the CCC camps of the depression. All my uncles loved it.

[hunter112]

My box of Jelly Bellys says, “Made in the USA”. If they were good enough for Ronald Reagan, they’re good enough for me!

[Sacajaweau]

I've been going after Canadian goods when I can. It's good stuff. The clothing is excellent.

They have the best highways I've ever driven on.

[mom4kittys]

Good idea. I’m tired of all this imported food.

[LSAggie]

What kind are they? Where did you get them? I just have not been able to find “made in USA” jelly beans, and am glad to know they are made here.

[Kimberly GG]

Is there a shortage of grapes grown in the USA or is this off season? I just made a fruit salad, the grapes I bought in Ohio came from Mexico.

[hunter112]

I've seen them on the West Coast, where I used to live, and they're certainly here in NY. I would imagine that you could find them anywhere! When Ronald Reagan was being lambasted for eating jelly beans back in 1981, it was explained that he nibbled these tasty little beans as a way to keep from smoking. Flavoring is put inside the bean, as well as in the hard candy shell, making them extremely delicious!

I'd be really surprised if you couldn't find them in the candy aisle in any variety store. Just ask for Jelly Bellys, and tell them Ronnie sent ya!

[Kimberly GG]

“Dec. 22, 2005: FDA proposes drop in allowable lead in candy. The move is aimed at levels in Mexican treats.”

“May 12, 2007: Tainted Mexican treats turn up at a California distributor despite promises by manufacturers.”

“State Asks Consumers to Avoid Eating a Mexican Candy”

I think I’ll personally be checking and banning from my home any products that come from Mexico. If our government won’t recall the products, we’ll avoid eating or using ANY of them.