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Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch  518.473.9472|518.474.2896
 For Immediate Release: October 30, 2008

Melamine Contamination Tops The Chart Among This Year's Halloween Safety Warnings Issued By The New York State Consumer Protection Board

While Halloween is meant to be a fun time for kids of all ages, it can, unfortunately, be dangerous. Therefore, the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is urging families to be careful tomorrow. Recent recalls and warnings have been posted which bear noting as Trick-or-Treating approaches.

”The CPB wants consumers to enjoy Halloween and is taking this opportunity to urge them to heed safety warnings and take precautions to stay out of harm’s way this year,” said Mindy A. Bockstein, the CPB’s Chairperson and Executive Director. ”Having a safe Halloween will make happy lasting memories for all.”

Candy and Food Safety Concerns
Melamine poisoning tops the candy and food safety warning chart this year. The CPB is calling attention to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning regarding melamine, which is described as “a small, nitrogen-containing molecule that has a number of industrial uses, including as a binding agent, flame retardant, and as part of a polymer in the manufacture of cooking utensils, plates and plastic resins….” Melamine is not approved for direct addition to human or animal foods marketed in the United States.

As a result of infant deaths in China due to the consumption of melamine, the U.S. and other countries are testing a wide range of products such as candies, desserts, and beverages, which have been found to be contaminated with melamine. To date, the FDA reports that it has found melamine contamination in multiple products imported from China, and, while it continues to test products, it has recalled several of them, one of which is relevant to Halloween. White Rabbit Candy, made by QFCO, Inc. of Burlingame, California and distributed in New York State as well as in eight other states through wholesale distributors to retailers, has been recalled due to melamine contamination. The package has a logo of a white rabbit with the words "White Rabbit” on the front. No illnesses from this candy have been reported to date. Consumers who have purchased this candy are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard it in their trash. Questions may be directed to the company at (650) 697-6633.

Nearby, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a warning this week not to “eat, distribute or sell Sherwood Brand Pirates Gold Milk Chocolate Coins” due to positive test results for melamine. While the product has not been recalled in the USA, it is noted given the amount of cross-border travel between New York State and Canada. The recalled product contains 240 pieces of candy per package and bears UPC 0 36077 11240 and lot code 1928S1. The candy is distributed in Canada through Costco Stores. To date, no illnesses associated with consumption of this product have been reported.

Halloween partiers may enjoy crunching on popcorn products, but consumers with allergies or severe sensitivities to pecans are warned that Harry and David, of Medford, Oregon, last week voluntarily recalled approximately 400 1 lb. 4 oz. boxes labeled Harry & David Moose Munch Confection, Milk Chocolate Gingerbread because it may contain a different Moose Munch product with pecans which is not on the label. Consumers may return the product to any Harry and David retail store for a full refund. Questions may be directed to Harry and David at (800) 233-1101.

Apparel Safety Concerns
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the most serious Halloween-related injuries involve burns from flammable costumes and decorations. Other incidents or injuries have come from abrasions due to sharp objects attached to masks or costumes, or items placed in or about the eyes. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has again warned that decorative contact lenses can lead to corneal ulcers, corneal abrasion, vision impairment, and blindness, and cautions consumers regarding the use of these lenses. Under a new federal law, a prescription is needed to buy contact lenses - - even cosmetic ones - - making contacts purchased over-the-counter illegal.

This year, in addition to monitoring recalled products and providing general safety warnings, the CPB turned to the New York State Museum for assistance in distributing the Agency’s Halloween Tips and bags. The Agency’s Halloween bags were also provided to additional community organizations in New York State.

“The New York State Museum was pleased to work with the Consumer Protection Board to distribute Halloween safety tips to children,” said Museum Director, Dr. Clifford Siegfried. “Kids like to have fun on Halloween, but they can only do that if they’re safe from harm. Working together with the CPB, we are raising awareness about safety issues associated with this annual event.”

The CPB strongly suggests people follow these simple safety tips:

BEFORE TRICK-OR-TREATING:
  • Buy only flame resistant, lead-free costumes, wigs and accessories.
  • Wear costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Use non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup instead of a mask which can limit or block eyesight.
  • Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
  • Fill flashlights with fresh batteries and provide one for each trick-or-treater.
  • Review the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll" with your children, should their clothes catch fire.
  • Eat a hearty meal to keep kids warm and to discourage them from filling up on Halloween candy before it can be checked for safety.
  • Scope out a route before older children leave for the night’s festivities so you can locate them in case of emergency.
  • Encourage teens to carry a cell phone or other emergency contact device. Make sure children know their home phone number and to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.
AT HOME PREPARATION
  • Remove tripping or other safety hazards on your porch and walkways such as flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children.
  • Decorate your home safely, assuring you don’t overload electrical outlets with special effects.
  • Make sure you don’t block the doors of your home so you can exit easily in case of fire.
  • Place pumpkins with candles in plain sight and away from children’s costumes.
ON HALLOWEEN:
  • Keep pets away from scary noises. Make sure they are wearing collars in case they get out when the door is opened for trick-or-treaters.
  • Don’t allow children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard when they are trick-or-treating.
  • Agree on a specific curfew so you know when your children are expected to return home.
  • Drive with caution!
  • Appoint a designated driver for adult partiers.
WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:
  • Accompany young children on their routes. Never let them trick-or-treat alone.
  • Use a flashlight.
  • Encourage kids to stay in a group and to walk instead of run to their destinations.
  • Stay in well-lit and familiar neighborhoods and go to homes that are well illuminated.
  • Stay on sidewalks if they are available. If not, walk facing traffic and stay on the side of the road.
  • Never cut across yards or use alleys or hidden walkways. Follow traffic signals.
  • Never go in to a stranger's home or car for any reason.
  • Don’t eat the candy before it can be inspected by an adult, and never eat unwrapped items.
  • Call the police if you feel you are in danger.
POST TRICK-OR-TREATING ACTIVITIES
  • Sort through treats with an adult. Check for signs of tampering, which is rare, but still of concern. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious items.
  • Give youngsters only small amounts of their candy to eat.
  • Make sure items are age appropriate, especially for young children, to avoid possible choking hazards.
The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the Do Not Call law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.

We wish you a safe and happy Halloween!

To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call our toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information. To join the CPB’s Do Not Call Reminder list, send an e-mail to CPB's Do Not Call Reminder list