California issues lead warning for state-issued lunch boxes

[kurth]

State Agency Gives Out Tainted Lunch Boxes
56,000 Boxes Given To Homeless Families
By Nannette Miranda

Sacramento, Calif. Sep.20 2007 (KGO) - The state agency charged with protecting the public's health gave out canvas lunch boxes at health fairs statewide for years-- three of which recently tested positive for elevated levels of lead in the lining and on the logo outside the box.

"Either on the people's food or their hands. Kids have a habit of putting their hands in their mouths," says Dr. Mark Horton, CA Director of Public Health.

The state is urging people to get rid of the lunch boxes through a local hazardous waste facility. Like the lead-tainted toys recently recalled, the bags were made in China.

56,000 of these were given out, mostly to poor families. They're from the same batch in which the three all tested positive for lead.

The irony is the sacks were promoting healthy eating, but environmental health advocates are not laughing.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5667668

[DS1]

1. Whoa... CHINA!

replay Bundy with China for reference