Mexico's candy industry announces the removal of lead from its candy
Says they can no longer afford skyrocketing lead prices
By ONANTZIN News
2011-05-17
Los Angeles, CA -- Mexico's highly lucrative candy industry is set to begin removing lead from all its candy products, a spokesperson for the industry announced this morning.
No specifics were given on a possible replacement, but the spokesperson did confirm that the decision was made following an internal report by the industry, which concluded that the price of lead imports (which has increases significantly as domestic demand for lead continues to grow in China) is too expensive and has made it impossible to add lead as an ingredient in candy. The news came as a shock to industry insiders, and sent immediate shock waves across all segments of Mexican society and even some parts of the United States.
Mexico's Stock Exchange (BMV: BOLSA) took a plunge immediately after the announcement, as stocks from a wide range of industries, including plastic makers, advertising, tourism, and transportation took a hit. In an interview with Mexibolsa News, top economist Gerardo Valdez said that the candy industry generates billions of dollars annually, and is one of the most important factors keeping Mexico's tourism industry vibrant. He indicated that the negative impact will reverberate throughout the country for years to come, and said he is uncertain if the Mexican candy industry can be as successful without lead - it's most popular ingredient, which is credited with single-handedly giving Mexican candy it's distinct taste and addictiveness.
In neighborhoods throughout Mexico, thousands of ordinary citizens turned out and gathered around corner stores to show their discontent. News agencies reported that many of the citizens expressed doubt as to whether they'd be able to enjoy Mexican candy anymore; Others went a bit further and called executives at the candy industry complete idiots, saying that lead is what gives Mexican candy that indescribable, almost magical taste. Without it, they said, the industry would crumble.
The news also generated outrage in the United States, where Mexican Americans decried the decision and said the United States was manipulating things behind the scenes, once again meddling in Mexican affairs. The US bans candy containing lead for health reasons, but despite the ban - and overwhelming evidence that proves the harmful health effects of lead - Mexicans frequently bring it back from Mexico for personal consumption, as a gift to relatives, to fulfill an order for someone else, to send to a son or daughter in college, or to sell in Mexican communities, where the demand is insatiable. They dismiss the evidence of potential health risks as false propaganda, saying that they grew up eating Mexican candy loaded with lead and their health is fine.
With the incentive of bringing candy back to the US no longer there, Mexican Americans said they would no longer visit Mexico, unless it was for "official" business [whatever that may mean].
The full impact of today's decision will not be known for several years, but in the meantime, one thing can be guaranteed: Lucas chilli powder seems further and further away from ever coming back to the US.
