Chemical Contamination of a Novelty Candy

A Novelty candy product distributed internationally was accidentally contaminated with Nonylphenol Ethyoxylates (NPE) during manufacture of the candy packaging container – a spray pump.

Reports of bad taste and cloudy appearance alerted candy company to analyze the product

8-12 year old children were primary consumers and the candy was sold in numerous flavors in U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan

ChemRisk evaluated health risks associated with consumption of NPEs in candy including:

– Acute risk

estimated risk associated with short-term exposure

– Chronic risk

estimated risk associated with consuming candy for several years

– Children’s daily exposures

calculated on a country-specific basis

The candy company used our assessment as part of their risk management plan in each of the affected markets. Lessons learned:

– Supply chain management/communication is critical

– QC measures are necessary to prevent inadvertent substitution

– QC checks necessary to ensure conformance with product specifications