Nuclear Sludge Candy Bar Recall Expanded to All Flavors, Sizes

A recent recall of Toxic Waste brand Nuclear Sludge chew bars has been expanded to include all Nuclear Sludge products, due to concerns over elevated lead levels and potential lead poisoning. 

On January 27, Candy Dynamics announced a Nuclear Sludge recall for all products under the Nuclear Sludge label, including the company’s line of 0.3-oz candy pieces. The action was an expansion of a prior Toxic Waste brand recall issued for 0.7-oz Nuclear Sludge Chew Bars on January 13, 2011.

The candy bar recall was expanded after some of the smaller pieces were found to contain elevated lead levels as high as .311 parts per million (ppm). The original recall was issued after testing revealed that some of the chew bars had lead levels of .24 ppm. The FDA limit for lead levels in food is 0.1 ppm.

All flavors and sizes of Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge candy pieces are affected by the recall. Each individual piece has a net weight of 0.3 ounces and were sold individually, in 30, 80 and 120 piece bags, in 120-piece fishbowls and as part of “Party Bag” membership kits. They were sold in cherry, green apple and blue raspberry flavors.

Although all Nuclear Sludge label products have now been recalled, other Toxic Waste candy products are not affected by the recall.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider 10 milligrams of lead per deciliter of blood to be the level of concern for exposure to lead. The CDC estimates that approximately 250,000 children in the U.S. have blood lead levels that high or higher.

Lead poisoning can result in nervous system injury, brain damage, seizures or convulsions, growth or mental retardation, coma and even death for young children. 

While high levels of lead exposure are often the focus of scientists, recent research has highlighted the effects of even low levels of exposure to lead on children. Other studies have tied low lead exposure to the development of kidney damage and depression and panic disorders.