Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: October 31, 2005
Contact : Robert Marshall, PhD 222-1017

Halloween Light-Up Candy Recalled by Distributor
HEALTH Officials Checking for Possible Distribution in Rhode Island

The distributor of Halloween candy and store displays that light up has voluntarily recalled these products from stores in several states after discovering that the packaging of both items has high lead content.

The products, Finger Lite Light-Up Candy Necklaces and Lite-Up Candy Rings, were distributed by Malibu Toys of California.

The voluntary agreement to recall the products and packaging comes after Malibu Toys was alerted by the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH), which coordinates the implementation of packaging laws in 19 states including Rhode Island.

Individual packages of this Halloween novelty lollipop are displayed on retail shelves in a box with a blinking pumpkin. The blinking light is powered by a battery, which is attached to a printed circuit board with lead-based solder. As a packaging component, the printed circuit board assembly violates the toxics in packaging requirement that no restricted heavy metals are intentionally added to a package or packaging component. According to TPCH, the product also includes lead-based solder in the lollipop holder that children put in their mouths, even though it is sealed.

Retail stores listed in Maine as receiving the items include CVS, Kmart, Movie Gallery, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart. RI officials also found that this product has been marketed in some Rhode Island stores. Parents of young trick-or-treaters and adults planning to hand out holiday candy are advised to return any lite-up candy necklaces and rings to the place of purchase.