Consumption of Dulmex Rollito de Tamarindo, a tamarind candy, and Vero Vagabundo, a hard candy lollipop with a chili dipping powder, could lead to serious health problems, Gerard said. Infants, young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.

"We are concerned about the risk of lead poisoning, especially for young children,” said Gerard.

The warning follows an advisory by the California Department of Health Services, which conducts regular random testing of various brands of candy from Mexico. The Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission also have issued warnings about the presence of lead in imported candy.

Recent analysis of Dulmex Rollito de Tamarindo candy by the California Health Department showed that the candy may contain as much as 0.59 micrograms of lead per gram of product (parts per million). Similar analysis of Vero Vagabundo candy revealed that the powder portion of the candy may contain as much as 0.72 micrograms of lead per gram of product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has alerted consumers and taken enforcement actions against candies exceeding 0.5 micrograms of lead per gram of product. 

Pregnant women and parents of children who may have consumed these products should consult with their physician or health care provider to determine if further medical testing is warranted. For more information about lead poisoning, the Arizona Department of Health Service’s Lead Prevention Program may be reached at (602) 364-3118.