Is Halloween Candy Safe For Our Kids?

Is Halloween Candy Safe For Our Kids?
The Better Life Experts | October 9, 2008


On Monday, September 29, 2008, the Cadbury Candy Company, one of the largest candy empires in the world, recalled 11 types of their candies manufactured in China from store shelves due to suspected melamine chemical contamination. Cadbury’s ordered their recall because tests done on milk chocolate in its Beijing factory have “cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China”.

What is melamine? Melamine is a nitrogen based product used in fertilizers, glues, and other industrial materials. This substance has been blamed for the deaths of at least 4 infants in China, and is suspected in the hospitalization of over 50,000 others. Melamine was also behind the recall of pet foods in 2007 that killed and sickened many dogs and cats in the United States.

The contaminated candy was distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. The FDA has not issued a general recall for Cadbury candy distributed and sold in the United States. HOWEVER, a particular brand of Cadbury candy that has been sold in the United States, and MAY be made with contaminated dairy products is sold under the brand name of WHITE RABBIT CANDY. The FDA recommended last week that consumers do not eat White Rabbit Candy and retailers remove the product from store shelves. So, if your child comes home with any White Rabbit Candy on Halloween, do not eat it and do not throw it away! Contact the authorities, and turn the suspected candy over to them! GOT IT?!?!

Okay, now the good news! The Hershey Candy Company of Pennsylvania and The MARS Company have released statements saying that they do not purchase dry milk from China and that both Hershey and MARS Company candy is safe for Halloween Trick or Treaters.

We all want our children to have a fun time with lots of Halloween adventures. Make sure your child’s adventure is also a safe one by checking all the contents in their “goodie bags” – screen for suspected candy and other food items before anything is eaten.

God Bless and Happy Halloween.