Candy From Mexico Recalled; Texas Officials Say it Has too Much Lead

A syrup candy imported from Mexico is being voluntarily recalled after state health officials found excessive levels of lead, Texas officials said.

San Antonio-based Villa-Mex Imports Inc. is asking customers to discard the dark brown syrup sold as “Barrilito” – named for its little glass barrels with bright yellow labels. The candy was sold by retailers statewide.

Recent laboratory tests showed lead levels above the 0.1 parts per million allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. Tested samples ranged from 0.101 to 0.132 parts per million.

Although concerns about lead in imported products has been high after a battery of recent recalls, the lab tests done on the candy were performed as part of the state’s periodic product testing, said spokeswoman Emily Palmer.

No cases of illness have been linked to the candy, but prolonged lead exposure, particularly in children, can cause delayed mental and physical development, said Palmer.

Although not all children with lead poisoning show symptoms, they can exhibit symptoms like lack of appetite, attention difficulty, headaches, vomiting, weakness and insomnia.

On the Net: Texas Department of State Health Services: www.dshs.state.tx.us/