Free Republic

Mexican candy - a seemingly harmless indulgence - can contain a poison that is especially dangerous to children. Story by JENIFER B. McKIM, KEITH SHARON and WILLIAM HEISEL Photos by ANA VENEGAS The Orange County Register SWEET INNOCENCE: For birthday girl Elva Alexandra Cardona, 2, right, the Pelon Pelo Rico she enjoys with cousin Giselle Yanez, left, is just a sugary treat. But the candy, which has tested high for lead 11 times, and others like it have increasingly been linked to poisoning of California children. SUMMARY Situation: The state finds lead in candy one out of four times it...

PART THREE: THE CANDY MAKERS Use of lead-tainted ingredients in some candies made in Mexico raises ethical questions. By JENIFER B. McKIM and WILLIAM HEISEL/ The Orange County Register Photos by ANA VENEGAS/ The Orange County Register HANDS ON: A worker rolls Serpentinas candy at Dulces Moreliates in Morelia, Mexico. The Register found high levels of lead in the version meant for Mexico but sold in Orange County. Photos: ANA VENEGAS/ SUMMARY Situation: Some candy makers produce two versions of their products – a clean, costlier version for the U.S. market and cheaper, sometimes contaminated versions for the Mexican market....