California recalls lead-tainted lunch boxes
About 56,000 Chinese-made lunch boxes distributed by California in an effort to promote healthful eating may contain lead, and state officials urged consumers not to use them.
By Agencies |
SACRAMENTO, US: About 56,000 Chinese-made lunch boxes distributed by California in an effort to promote healthful eating may contain lead, and state officials urged consumers not to use them.
Tests found elevated levels of lead in three of the boxes, which were given out at health fairs and other events, officials of the state Department of Public Health said yesterday.
"Certainly it's unfortunate that an item we're using to hopefully promote healthy behaviour is then discovered to be a potential health hazard," the department's director, Mark Horton, told reporters in a conference call.
China has been under increasing international pressure to improve the quality of its exports after dangerous toxins were found in goods ranging from toys to toothpaste.
A test by the Sacramento County Health Department in July indicated the boxes contained lead, he said.
Several weeks of more sophisticated testing confirmed the presence of lead "in multiple parts of the box," including the logo, he said.
Asked why it took so long to issue a warning to the public, Horton said: "I think we took the appropriate steps based on the information available to us at the time."
Lead can cause brain damage when ingested by young children.
Horton urged parents whose children may have used the boxes to consult a doctor.
The green canvas boxes were imported from China by T-A Creations Inc of Los Angeles.
Tests found elevated levels of lead in three of the boxes, which were given out at health fairs and other events, officials of the state Department of Public Health said yesterday.
"Certainly it's unfortunate that an item we're using to hopefully promote healthy behaviour is then discovered to be a potential health hazard," the department's director, Mark Horton, told reporters in a conference call.
China has been under increasing international pressure to improve the quality of its exports after dangerous toxins were found in goods ranging from toys to toothpaste.
A test by the Sacramento County Health Department in July indicated the boxes contained lead, he said.
Several weeks of more sophisticated testing confirmed the presence of lead "in multiple parts of the box," including the logo, he said.
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Asked why it took so long to issue a warning to the public, Horton said: "I think we took the appropriate steps based on the information available to us at the time."
Lead can cause brain damage when ingested by young children.
Horton urged parents whose children may have used the boxes to consult a doctor.
The green canvas boxes were imported from China by T-A Creations Inc of Los Angeles.
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