In a bizarre case of unintended truth in advertising, Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bars may actually be toxic. Clearly designed to appeal to the “dare you” attitude of prepubescent boys, the super-sour chewy candy is sold in wrappers reminiscent of hazmat warning signs. Emblazoned with the words “Toxic Waste” in giant type, the packaging warns consumers of the “lethal” product inside. Unfortunately, to the alarm of Philadelphia parents, what was certainly intended to be a clever advertising ploy now appears to be true. Testing by the California Department of Public Health found >toxic levels of lead in cherry-flavored Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bars.
When notified of the health department findings, U.S. distributor Candy Dynamics issued an immediate voluntary recall of all flavors of the Nuclear Sludge Bar. Introduced to U.S. markets in 2007 and promoted as “hazardously sour,” Toxic Waste candy is imported from Pakistan. Other candies in the Toxic Waste product line have not been recalled as the distributor does not believe them to be affected.
In 1977, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead paint because of its damaging physical and mental effects, particularly in rapidly developing infants and children under the age of 6. Until the ban, lead was commonly added to paint products to improve paint performance. Exposure to lead has been proven to stunt children’s growth, cause serious nervous system damage, result in developmental delays, and seriously damage kidneys and other organs. In adults, lead can also negatively impact reproductive ability. Children are typically exposed to lead by putting toys painted with lead paint in their mouths or ingesting chips or flakes of lead paint from painted walls or furniture. Read more here.
Newer research, however, has discovered that lead does not have to be ingested to cause serious personal injury. Lead-laced dust from deteriorating paint chips or home improvement projects that expose old lead-painted walls is just as toxic. If you or anyone you know has been affected by this in the Philadelphia area, contact us today.