If your kids get any pirates coins this Halloween, toss ‘em right in the trash. It’s possible they’re tainted with melamine, the industrial chemical that is implicated in the Chinese milk scandal, and which killed four babies and sickened another 50,000+. Snopes verified this.
Right now, the warning is coming from Canada, where tainted gold chocolate coins are being sold in Costco. The candy manufacturer assures us that this is isolated to Canada, but I’m skeptical. In the past, Canada’s been a wee more cautious than our own FDA. Sure, maybe they’re fine. But I’ll choose to take this as a blanket warning. No reason not to: worst that happens is we toss out some low-quality chocolate.
As for other Halloween candy, don’t freak out. Apparently less than 1% of candy sold in the U.S. comes from China, and chocolate products produced in North America do not contain milk products from China.
We are giving out REAL gold dubloons this year. None of that cheap, chemical-laced chocolate for us. No siree. Argh matey!
Some of these gold coins come in bags with labels that show their country of origin. As you wrote, if in doubt, throw it out.
Thanks for the link!
Can I just say that I am SO glad I couldn’t find these for Eamon’s pirate b-day party?!? Thanks for the warning!
About 10 minutes before I got the email, I threw out a treasure chest of this stuff, along with about 500 chocolate foil wrapped easter eggs from last year. I remember that the chocolate tasted foul, I think calling it chocolate was a stretch to begin with.
It’s not just the coins — Mars and Cadbury both use Chinese milk in their products.
From what I have read, only Hershey is safe.
http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/10/29/very-scary-halloween-candy/
Also? I got gold coins of fair trade chocolate – child slavery is a big issue re: Halloween candy as well. I think they were from Global Exchange and I’m sure they are safe. I’m thinking I may have to eat all my coins myself, tho, cause I wouldn’t want them to go to waste.
Honestly, I don’t trust any of the candy, even if they say that less than 1% of the “other” stuff is risky.
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I do love reading your blog. Truly a highlight in my day.
I’ve passed on an award to you – if you’re into that thing. Chcek out my post on Chai Cookies for details.
Cheers!
I just saw a huge bag of those on a rack at Target, I think. I hope they are non Chine here. Fortunately for me the kid forgot all about the candy the next day and into the trash it went.