Candy wrappers can be hazardous
By Jean Lin
STAFF RE****TER
Tuesday, Nov 08, 2005,Page 2
The Consumers' Foundation yesterday revealed the results of candy
wrapper inspections, saying that although improvements have been seen
since its last inspection in 1995, some products still contain toxic
substances that may pose threats to health.
According to the foundation, a total of 28 candy-wrapper samples were
taken in May from supermarkets and stores in the Taipei area for
inspection.
The foundation said that all labeling on the wrappers included clear
descriptions of additives, but two brands of candy wrappers were found
to contain toxic lead substances.
The two brands were "Okinawa Brown Sugar Honey Plums" and "Fruit
Candy," both local products with Japanese names and whose wrappers
contained lead substances in excess of the regulated 100ppm (100
micrograms per gram).
The candy itself is often safe to consume, but the packaging poses a
problem, foundation chairman Jason Lee (=E6=9D=8E=E9=B3=B3=E7=BF=B1) said.
"Children tend to suck on the wrappers when the candy sticks to it, and
they end up consuming toxic substances," Lee said.
Foundation deputy secretary-general Wu Chia-cheng
(=E5=90=B3=E5=AE=B6=E8=AA=
=A0) said that
even though the candy wrappers in the inspection this year did not
contain fluorescent material like before, the coloring still posed a
threat to the public.
"Toxic lead substances, once consumed, may cause brain damage, kidney
problems, growth problems and irreversible nervous system disorders,"
Wu said.
Wu added that although no cadium (a cancer-causing substance) was
detected in wrappers this time, many artificial colorants contain it.
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