IN health dept. warns of candy recall

INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) - According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Circle City Marketing and Distributing, doing business as Candy Dynamics, Indianapolis, IN, is issuing a voluntary recall of all Toxic Waste brand Nuclear Sludge products, all flavors, 0.3 oz (8 g) size pieces. The product is imported from Pakistan.

On January 13, 2011, the company previously recalled Toxic Waste Brand Nuclear Sludge, Net wt. 0.7 oz (20g) size, all flavors. With this recall of the smaller piece size, the company has now recalled all products labeled as "Nuclear Sludge".

Further testing by the company indicated that while some of the smaller sized products were below the FDA limit, some contain elevated levels of lead (0.101 parts per million to .311 ppm; the U.S. FDA tolerance is 0.1 ppm) that potentially could cause health problems, particularly for infants, small children, and pregnant women.

“Consumer product alerts such as this one do heighten the awareness of lead in our environment,” said Dave McCormick, director, Indiana Lead and Healthy Homes Program. “Any product that is suspected of being contaminated with lead should be properly discarded to prevent any chance of poisoning a child.

“However, lead in older housing is still the main culprit when dealing with childhood lead poisoning,” added McCormick.

Lead is a poisonous metal that can damage nervous connections, especially in young children, and cause blood and brain disorders. Long-term exposure to lead can cause colic-like abdominal pains. Symptoms of lead toxicity include stomach aches, colic, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia.

The company has determined to recall all lots and all flavors of the smaller sized product distributed from the product's inception in May 2009 through January 2011. The smaller sized products are identified as:

· Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Cherry (UPC 0 89894 81901 1),

· Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Green Apple (UPC 0 89894 81701 7), and

· Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Blue Raspberry (UPC 0 89894 81801 4).

Each individual piece has a net wt. of 0.3 oz (8 g) and was sold individually, as part of a 'Party Bag’ or Membership kit, and packed in 30 ct., 80 ct., and 120 ct. bags and a 120 ct. fishbowl. No other "Toxic Waste" brand product, besides those labeled "Nuclear Sludge" is affected by this recall. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recalled Nuclear Sludge products were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders. The product was also distributed in Canada and in very limited quantities in Guatemala, Ireland, Jordan, Korea, Mexico and El Salvador. The company is discontinuing the sale of Nuclear Sludge products in the United States.

The Food Protection Division at the Indiana State Department of Health is working with the FDA and local health departments to ensure all recalled items are no longer being sold in Indiana.

Candy Dynamics is sending recall notices to its direct customers. Anyone in possession of the recalled product should telephone the company for information on destruction of the product. Please call Eileen O’Neal at 317-228-5012 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm EST) for further information.