SANTA ANA – Lawmakers and health activists demanded zero tolerance for lead in Mexican candies Friday and called on state officials to do a better job protecting children from toxic treats.

"It is shocking we find the existence of lead in candy,'' said Assemblyman Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, at a heated meeting where candy makers, vendors, activists and health officials sought solutions. "I've seen my children eating those candies, and I am just angry as a parent that the state agencies and federal agencies know about it and are not doing anything.''

The town hall was called in response to an Orange County Register investigation showing that lead has been found in dozens of Mexican candies and wrappers over the past decade but little has been done to inform the public or remove toxic candies from shelves.

Federal and state regulators this week began talks with Mexican health officials about the problem.

At the meeting in Santa Ana, lawmakers and activists called for the Department of Health Services and the governor to support a bill filed by Assemblyman Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, that would prohibit lead in candies and increase state testing, enforcement and information available to the public.

"We want the Department of Health Services to come to the table and say we want to help,'' said Leticia Ayala, an activist with the San Diego-based Environmental Health Coalition that has pushed for enforcement since 2001. "We can't let them leave without making a commitment.''

The health department remains neutral on the bill. Officials Friday - including the heads of the state Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch and Food and Drug Branch - said they could not discuss the legislation, adding the decision lies with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Cabinet.

A similar bill failed last year after questions about funding. Vargas said he hoped increased attention and a new administration will provide a better outcome. He questioned whether toxic candies still would be available if the treats weren't primarily a Latino favorite.

"Do you think for one second if the governor's kids were eating this candy,'' it would be so available? Vargas asked. "I think this stuff would come right off the racks.''

State officials said they face challenges because much of the candy comes over the border informally and lead tests are inconsistent.

"We are doing the best we can with the resources we have,'' said Dr. Gilberto Chavez, health department associate director for public health. "One child with an elevated blood lead level is one child too many.''

Chavez said the state has been working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to set acceptable lead levels in candy.

Jim Waddell, chief of the state's Food and Drug Branch, said he is awaiting new test results and would act if levels come up high. He said regulation is difficult because lead levels in candy vary from batch to batch.

That answer did not please many in the room. "You've erred on the side against children,'' Correa said.

Correa, now a co-author on Vargas' bill, supports pushing lead levels in candy to zero - or to the lowest detection limits allowable.

Just how much lead in candy is safe is under debate. The FDA acts against candies that have above 0.5 parts per million lead but has notified companies it plans to lower the level. The state Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch has considered candies a risk at 0.2 ppm but says it abides by federal regulatory standards.

Candy makers complained that store owners and parents are confused about what is safe. They said the entire Mexican candy industry has been tarnished.

Octavio Flores, a spokesman for the company that makes the popular Pelon Pelo Rico, suggested the candy legislation was racist, since it focuses on imported candy. Lawmakers disagreed.

"That's where we saw the problem,'' said Correa, who switched from Spanish to English throughout the hearing. "The problem is here now. The problem has been identified. Do we need any more evidence to establish that fact?''

Activists echoed lawmakers concerns that government can't guarantee a safe candy supply.

"It bothers me that they continue to use kids as lead detectors,'' said Luz Palomino, who drove from San Diego for the meeting. "Health of children doesn't have a price.''

Next week, the Assembly will vote on AB2297, Vargas' candy bill. The Senate also has scheduled a hearing June 3 in Sacramento to discuss the issue again.

Copyright 2004 The Orange County Register