Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted information about the recall of all lots of a brand of salted plums with chili. The product was sold to distributors by a food company based in California. According to the announcement, the recall was initiated because the product has the potential to be contaminated with lead.

The recalled items were reported to have been distributed in California as well as Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia through distributors to retail stores from December 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022. Fortunately, at the time of the recall notice, there had been no reports of illnesses.

Regarding cases like this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states:

Certain candy ingredients such as chili powder and tamarind may be a source of lead exposure. Lead can get into the candy when drying, storing, and grinding the ingredients are done improperly. Ink from plastic or paper candy wrappers may also contain lead that leaches or seeps into the imported candy.

“The day before this recall was posted by the FDA, another company in California also announced the recall of salted plums with chili because of the potential for lead contamination,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing's Huntington Beach facility. “LA Testing, with multiple laboratories in California, offers food and product testing to help prevent cases like these that could expose the public to contaminants, not to mention the high costs associated with these types of recalls. These services are instrumental for businesses that import, process, distribute, and retail food items to help ensure their products are safe and meet regulatory requirements.”

To learn more about testing for contaminants and pathogens in food products, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California's leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

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