Pirate’s Gold Premium Chocolate Coins candies were indeed removed from store shelves — in Canada. “The Pirates Gold Coins were not distributed in the United States,” Stephanie Kwisnek, spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said in an e-mail response to questions from The Daily Journal. On Oct. 8, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, similar to the U.S. FDA, issued a warning about the candy, which is manufactured in China and distributed by Maryland-based Sherwood Brands. “Some of the source ingredients in the candy were from China,” Marilyn Taylor of the food inspection agency told The Daily Journal Thursday. The candy was sold in Costco stores and other dollar and bulk stores, she said. The FDA has a list of food sold in the United States that may be contaminated with melamine. Pirate’s Gold was not on the list. Calls to Sherwood Brands were not returned. A letter on its Web site said the melamine contamination was isolated to products sold in Canada. Kwisnek urged consumers to the FDA’s Web site, where they can find safety tips for Halloween candy and a link to information about melamine and the contaminated foods list: www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/treats.html
~ Kristin Szremski
