Urgent: Chocolate Covered Pirate Gold Coins Recalled

I received a couple of emails today and checked over at Snopes to verify the rumors..the following is true.  Chocolate Gold Coins from a distributor in Canada have been called due to detection of melamine in the product.  The coins are being sold at Costco, dollar shows and other retailers.  It is amazing how this story grows and grows and yet again tonight I saw nothing on the news locally or nationally.  I know this election is important, but the welfare of our children is worth a minute or two.

Here is the Consumer Advisory from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

OTTAWA, October 8, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume, distribute, or sell the Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins described below. This product is being recalled due to positive test results for melamine conducted by the CFIA.

The affected product, Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, is sold in 840g containers containing 240 pieces per container bearing UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and lot code 1928S1.

This product is sold nationally through Costco stores and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across Canada.

If the original product identity and UPC code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product.

Retailers and distributors are advised to stop distributing Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins and to initiate a voluntary recall of this product. The CFIA will be working with the importers to remove the affected product from the marketplace.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Although the health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, the advisory is being issued as a result of the Government of Canada’s ongoing investigation into milk and milk-derived products sourced in/from China that may have been distributed in Canada.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Melamine is a chemical compound used in a number of commercial and industrial applications.  Canada does not allow its use as a food ingredient.

For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

My suggestion, if you purchased any of this product either take it back to the retailer or throw it away and if your child ends up with any chocolate covered pirate coins on Halloween night, throw them away.

Read more at Snopes.