Candies Tolteca of Fresno, CA, is recalling its 1.5-ounce packages of Saladitos (salted dried plums) and its 1.5-ounce packages of Saladitos con Chile y Limon (dried plums with chili and lemon) because of potential lead contamination.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that dried plums, or saladitos, containing lead were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of lead, according to a company recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

There is concern that consumers may still have possession of some of the recalled plums because of their long shelf life, which reaches into May.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH)  is warning consumers not to eat at least eight other types of dried plum snacks, also known as Saladitos, imported from China and Taiwan. The full list can be found here.

This recall was initiated after the California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the public notice.

The company discontinued its sale of the saladitos salted dried plums and saladitos con chile y limon, dried plums with chili and lemon in California since about June 23, 2021, immediately after having received a Notice of Violation. Immediately thereafter the company elected to remove the tolteca brand saladito items from the shelves and displays of the market places in California. The Independent Distributors and Route Sales Representatives gave their full cooperation in removing the items from the reach of consumers and returning them and their own unsold inventory of Saladitos to the company’s warehouse for full credit refund, according to a recall notice.

The recalled products were sold and/or distributed in California, Nevada and Utah through Independent Distributors and company Route Sales Representatives who in turn, sold to many retail stores, including supermarkets, gas stations and convenience stores.

Recalled product:

• Both Saladitos items come in 1.5 oz portions packaged in clear cellophane bags approximately (4” x 8”). 
• The words SALADITOS Salted Dried Plums appear on a Blue Tolteca brand label and identified with UPC number 704927600694.
•  The words SALADITOS CON CHILE Y LIMON, dried plums with chili and lemon, appear on green Tolteca brand labels and identified with UPC number 704927600700. 
• The lot number 21019 is stamped on the front of the packages, along with the expiration dates of 05/20/2022 for the Saladitos (Salted Dried Plums) and 01/20/2022 for the Saladitos Con Chile y Limon (Dried Plums with Chili & Lemon.

As of the posting of this recall, no illnesses have been reported due to the distribution of this product, according to the recall notice.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase.

about lead contamination
Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water.

Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and the developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of lead that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. A child with lead poisoning may not look or act sick. Lead poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.