For the second time in less than three months, unsafe levels of lead have been found in Toxic Waste candy. In January, it was Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge. Now Candy Dynamics is recalling its Pakistani-made Toxic Waste Short Circuits bubble gum.
Circle City Marketing and Distributing is an Indianapolis based company operating as Candy Dynamics. Candy Dynamics imports Toxic Waste candies from factories in Pakistan. The only Candy Dynamics product involved in this recall is Toxic Waste Short Circuits bubble gum (UPC 0 89894 31001 3), 3.2 oz (90 g) size, Lot #15070SC12 (the Lot # is located along the left side of the bag).
Tests run by Food and Drug Administration officials showed elevated levels of lead in Toxic Waste Short Circuits bubble gum. The FDA allows .1 parts per million; Toxic Waste showed .189 ppm. These lead levels are lower than the .24 lead levels reported in the January Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge recall. However, Toxic Waste Short Circuits lead levels are still nearly twice the amount of lead deemed safe for human consumption.
The affected Toxic Waste Short Circuits bubble gum was marketed from January 4 to March 18 throughout the United States, via retail and mail order. The gum was sold in Canada and Switzerland, too. According to the FDA, Toxic Waste Short Circuits will continue to be sold in the U.S. No illness has been reported in connection with the candy. This is a voluntary recall and no other Toxic Waste candies are being recalled.
Toxic Waste candies are popular with children because of their intensely sour flavor. I have not found Toxic Waste in many retails grocery stores or candy stores. My middle school aged daughter reports that Toxic Waste is a popular movie theater candy.
The colorants used in the luridly colored gum and candy are usually the source of lead. The dyes used in Toxic Waste Short Circuits bubble gum are: Red 40, Blue 1 and Yellow 5. CPSI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) lists Red 40 and Blue 1 on its "Caution" list and Yellow 5 on its "Avoid" list.
In light of the earlier Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge recall for lead and now the Short Circuits recall, I advise parents to keep this candy from their children. Further, I encourage parents to read food labels, especially candy labels. Artificial colors, flavors and additives can cause physical and emotional health issues, especially for children with ADD, ADHD, asthma, PKU (Phenylketonuria) and allergies. For allergy, asthma and ADD diet tips visit Feingold here.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 22+ years parenting four children, 25+ years teaching K-8, special needs, Montessori, adult education, health classes and homeschool. Passionate about health, nutrition and family wellness, Marilisa writes about parenting for the Yahoo! Contributor Network.




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