The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers this week not to eat “Ginger Candy” imported from China due to potential lead contamination.

According to a CDPH press release, the candy, which was manufactured by Dai jyoBu in China, and distributed by Anhing Corporation in Los Angeles, contained more than twice the amount of lead that California allows in candy products.  California considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 parts per million (ppm) of lead to be contaminated; the Ginger Candy test results revealed 0.25 ppm of lead.  

CDPH stated:  “‘Ginger Candy is sold in a 8 1/2 inch x 6 inch plastic bag containing six individually wrapped pieces of candy. There is a bright orange border at the top of the package. Chinese characters and ‘Ginger Candy’ appear in the border. The bag is decorated with boxes that alternate between clear and white with blue dots. The bottom of the package shows a large yellow ginger root with green sprouts. There is a character of a winking, black-haired boy on the right-hand side of the package. The word ‘DaiJyoBu’ appears at the boy’s feet.

Anhing Corporation has recalled the candy and is working with distributors and retailers to ensure the product is taken off store shelves. Although there have been no illnesses associated with the consumption of the “Ginger Candy,” anyone who has purchased the candy should discard it immediately.   

Consumers who find the brand name “Ginger Candy” for sale are encouraged to call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232. For more information about lead poisoning, contact your county childhood lead poisoning prevention program or public health department. Additional information is available at CDPH’s California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch: Children at Risk page.