Contact:
CDPH Complaint Hotline
1-800-495-3232

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Sacramento, CA -- April 17, 2008 --- Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to eat Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo candy imported from Mexico after tests by CDPH found levels of lead that could cause health problems.

"Lead exposure can be harmful, especially for infants, young children and pregnant women," Horton said. "Today's warning is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of foods sold in California."

CDPH is working to identify distributors of Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo to ensure it is promptly removed from retail sale.

Consumers in possession of Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo should discard the candy. Pregnant women and parents of children who may have consumed this candy should consult their health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed.

Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo is a fruit pulp candy coated with a brownish-red colored salt and chili powder and is packaged in a clear plastic bag containing ten 50 grams individual candies. The net weight of the bag is 500 grams. The word "Chacatorzo" is printed at the top and bottom of the bag in white print outlined in blue. The front of the bag contains a white circle with a picture of a red locomotive. The words "Chaca Chaca" are printed in yellow across the locomotive.

Recent analysis by CDPH determined that Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo candy contained as much as 0.30 parts per million (ppm) of lead. California considers such products with lead levels in excess of 0.10 ppm to be contaminated.

For more information about lead poisoning, consumers are advised to contact their local childhood lead poisoning prevention program or public health department. Additional information and a list of local childhood lead prevention programs is available at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/CLPPBChildrenAtRisk.aspx

Consumers who find Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo candy for sale are encouraged to call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232. Photos of Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo are available at www.cdph.ca.gov.