SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, on Friday warned consumers not to eat Vagabundo Paletas candy imported from Mexico after tests conducted by CDPH found unacceptable levels of lead.

Consumers in possession of this candy should discard it immediately.

Recent chemical analysis of this candy by CDPH’s Food and Drug Laboratory determined that it contained as much as 0.61 parts per million of lead.

California considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 parts per million to be contaminated.

Vagabundo Paletas candy is sold in a 453 gram, plastic package with the candy name appearing at the top in large yellow and red letters.

The package shows a man wearing purple pants, red jacket and a purple hat walking on railroad tracks. The man is carrying a large red lollipop over his shoulder and walking with a brown dog.

Vagabundo Paletas candy is imported and distributed by Crown Wholesale in Paramount, Calif., which has initiated a voluntary recall.

CDPH is currently working with the distributor to ensure that the contaminated candies are removed from the market place.

Pregnant women and parents of children who may have consumed this candy should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed.

Anyone finding this candy for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 800-495-3232.

More information is available on the CDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Page, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/CLPPBChildrenAtRisk.aspx .