Long Beach area residents are being warned to avoid eating all types of "Tama Roca" brand tamarind fruit candy because the product's wrapper contains high level of lead. In addition, laboratory tests also indicate high levels of lead in some of the candy.
These products consist of soft, dark brown, tamarind fruit candy on a stick and also come in smaller individually wrapped pieces. The candy wrappers come in four different colors: clear, green, orange and yellow. Each candy, regardless of the wrapper color, has the same "Tama Roca" logo spelled out in white lettering with a red, yellow, and green outline and a yellow background.
"Tama Roca" products have been found in over 30 neighborhood stores in north and west Long Beach, and products have been removed from the shelves. However, residents are warned to check any candy they may currently have and dispose of any product meeting this description to avoid any exposure to lead.