Make That Candy Unleaded

Citing public pressure, the FDA has lowered the amount of lead allowed in children’s candy to one-fifth of the previous standards established in 1995. Candy manufacturers are now required to reconsider the sources of ingredients in their products and to make necessary changes to packaging and labeling.

The drive to reduce lead content in candy is the result of new evidence that imports from countries like Mexico contain high levels of lead. However, the new regulations also affect candy made in the United States. Most affected are products sweetened with chili, as these have higher amounts of lead than those made with sugar.