Education Materials

The education materials for this project were developed by the California Poison Control System through a collaborative process with California consumers, state and local lead prevention branches, the Office of the California Attorney General, health educators, public health officials, community activists, health workers and promotoras.

The California Poison Control System is the statewide provider of immediate, free and expert treatment advice and assistance by telephone in case of exposure to poisonous and hazardous substances. Since its inception in 1997, the CPCS has managed nearly 3 million cases.

The CPCS is administered by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, contracted and responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority, and certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The CPCS serves consumers and health professional toll-free, 24/7, 365 days a year at 1-800-222-1222.

For questions regarding the development of education materials contact:
Lead in Mexican Candies–Education Materials
California Poison Control System
UCSF Box 1262
San Francisco, CA 94118

Questions may be submitted via email to iana@calpoison.org

Funding

Funding for www.leadinmexicancandy.com is provided through the settlement in People of the State of California et al. v. Alpro Alimento Proteinico, S.A. de C.V. et al. In this case, chili peppers and tamarind used to flavor certain candies were found to be contaminated with lead during drying or processing. Candies that included these ingredients were found to have levels of lead which posed a danger to human health.

The settlement in this case includes money to fund, through a competitive grants process, projects that support the elimination of candy products containing lead in California.

Funds for this project are managed by the Public Health Trust (PHT), a project of the Public Health Institute, located in Oakland, California. PHT manages funds generated from the settlement of health-related litigation and uses the funds for public health programs.

For questions regarding funding of the Lead in Mexican Candy project contact:
Lead in Mexican Candies Grant Program–Education Materials
Public Health Trust
2201 Broadway, Suite 502
Oakland, CA 94612
Questions may be submitted via email to mdalsin@phi.org

Background

In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65.

Read about Proposition 65 in plain language here.

In 2004, the Office of the Attorney General of California sued more than two dozen manufacturers of Mexican candy because they violated Proposition 65 by not warning consumers about lead in their products.

Read the press release from the Office of the Attorney General announcing a settlement with Hershey and Mars to reduce lead in Mexican candy popular with children here.

In 2007 California passed AB 121 (Vargas) relating to lead contamination of candy. AB 121 also provides funds to track down and eliminate lead in candy from all California stores.

Read the text of California Assembly Bill 121 here.