Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, today warned consumers not to eat three preserved plum products, after tests conducted by CDPH found that all three exceed state standards for lead.
CDPH’s recent chemical analysis determined that Red Lantern Plum Candy contained as much as 18.4 micrograms of lead per serving. Chan Pui Mui Preserved Plum (Lot QFC 108 Best Before 15.Nov.2013), contained as much as 6.6 micrograms of lead per serving. Sanh Yuan Preserved Plum contained as much as 34.0 micrograms of lead per serving. Children under 6 years of age should not consume more than 6.0 micrograms of lead per day from all dietary sources. The companies have initiated a voluntarily recall of these products and CDPH is currently working with the importers to ensure that the contaminated products are removed from the market place. Consumers in possession of these products should discard them immediately.
Red Lantern Plum Candy, from China and imported by K.Y.L. Trading Co, Inc., Brisbane, California, is sold in a 3 ounce (85 gram) clear plastic package that has red and gold lanterns and red Chinese characters on the front of the package with the name appearing in the lower bottom of the package. The plum product is visible through the packaging. The product comes in Red and White varieties. CDPH tested only the Red variety. However, K.Y.L. Trading Company is recalling both the Red and the White varieties of the product.
Chan Pui Mui Preserved Plum, from Hong Kong and imported by QFCO, Inc., Burlingame, California, is sold in a 14 ounce (400 gram) clear plastic package that has red and blue labeling and contains a large white circle in the middle of the package with the name of the product inside the circle with Chinese characters. The plum products are wrapped in white and dark blue wrappers and are visible through the packaging.
Sanh Yuan Preserved Plum, from Taiwan and imported by CHO Fuku Group (USA), Inc., El Monte, California, is sold in a 5 ounce clear plastic package that has a green border with various fruits shown at the bottom and Chinese characters appear throughout the package. The preserved plums are visible through the packaging.
Pregnant women and parents of children who may have consumed these products should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed. Anyone finding these products for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at (800) 495-3232. More information is available on the CDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Page.
