Tainted Candy - Trick or Treat

Information about several tainted brands of candy have been announced recently.

Initially it was reported that the Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate Coins was not distributed to the U.S. but now they're saying that it may have been - so I'm passing this along just in case any of these candies show up in your child's Trick-or-Treat bag.

We want to give you a heads up about some Halloween candy that could be bad for kids: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to consume White Rabbit Creamy Candy or Koala's March Crème filled Cookies because they may contain melamine. (1)

And, the Canadian government is warning the public not to consume Sherwood Brands Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, which may also have reached the U.S. (2)

What's wrong with these candies? You've likely heard about the dangerous chemical, melamine, which was recently found in the Chinese milk supply and sickened thousands of children in China. We've now seen reports that melamine tainted milk has been used in some Chinese candy products that have been shipped to the United States. (3)

The good news is that Chinese candy makes up only 0.7% of the candy sold in the U.S. (4) and the risk of serious harm from minor exposure to melamine is considered low by the World Health Organization (5).

That said, we wanted to send this out to you because we don't want our kids eating candy with any toxic ingredients.

1. http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/melamine.html

2. Here's the Canadian government's warning: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/20081008e.shtml The Vancouver Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081028.wlhalloween28/BNStory/lifeFamily/home And an article in the Chicago Tribune: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2008/10/chocolate-coins.html

3. From Consumer Reports: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/10/chinese_formula07.html, and Candy problem verified on Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp

4. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-09-24-melamine-china_N.htm

5. "Consumers exposed to tiny amounts of melamine shouldn't worry, says Angelika Tritscher of the World Health Organization. 'Melamine at low doses is actually not considered to be very toxic.'" Quote from: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-09-24-melamine-china_N.htm

And some recent press coverage: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=868904 http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_10626959

Twick or Tweet

Do you smell that? The sweet smells of candy apples, fresh dropped fall leaves and lots of sugar to keep your toddlers wired for the next 6 months? The ghost and ghouls will be out soon "twick or tweeting."

I am usually pretty organized with planning events, birthdays and well costumes for my jelly-bean, unlike anything else in my usually procrastinated world. We actually started planning her Halloween outfit this past summer, while on our trip in Baltimore. We picked up the cutest crab hat and planned on making her a crab...but plans changed. Since then jelly-bean got a horse, you know the kind on a stick - of course not the real thing - she isn't that spoiled!

Her favorite thing to do is gallop around the house with her horse. So, we asked her, do you want to be a crab or a cowgirl for Halloween? And she answered, "I be a cow." After a chuckle, I was on a mission to find the cowgirl staples, of course in pink.

I have yet to get the hat and vest, but know I will find a deal on it shortly. There are so many cute costumes out there, ones that are pre-made and ones that are mommy-made...what are you dressing your little ones in this year...or what cute costumes have you seen?