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California Department of Public Health Advises Consumers not to use CDPH Lunch Boxes

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

CONTACT: JESSICA KERN

PHONE: 530-233-6311

 

Lunch boxes used as nutrition education items have elevated levels of lead

 

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Mark Horton, Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today urged consumers to stop using lunch boxes, which have been distributed as CDPH nutrition educational items, after testing showed elevated levels of lead in three lunch boxes.

 

The canvas lunch boxes that showed elevated levels of lead were green with a logo reading EAT FRUITS & VEGETABLES AND BE ACTIVE. Approximately 56,000 of these lunch boxes have been distributed throughout California at health fairs and other events.

 

“CDPH will no longer use lunch boxes until such time as we are assured that every lunch box is safe. In addition to lunch boxes, we are assessing all of our health promotion items to ensure that they are safe,” Horton said, “ We are urging Californians to not use these lunch boxes and keep them away from infants and young children.”

 

In addition to the lunch boxes that tested positive for lead, CDPH has used other lunch boxes as nutrition education items for the Network of a Healthy California Program and the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Although these lunch boxes have not shown elevated levels of lead, CDPH recommends consumers stop using and dispose of any CDPH lunch boxes and keep them away from young children as a precaution.


No known cases of lead poisoning have resulted from use of the lunch boxes.

Lead can damage the brain, nerves, red blood cells, and kidneys. Children can ingest lead by chewing and sucking on things with lead. The only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is for your child to get a blood test. Most children with lead poisoning don’t look or act sick. To protect your child from lead poisoning always wash your child’s hands before eating and sleeping. Feed your child healthy meals and snacks. Foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C make it harder for lead to hurt your child.

 

Individuals who have these lunch boxes should return them to the Public Health Department @ 441 N. Main Street. For more information about lead poisoning, contact Jessica Kern (Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program) at the Public Health Department 530-233-6311.

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Modoc County Health Services
441 N. Main St.
Alturas, CA 96101
Modoc County Public Health: 530-233-6311
1-800-762-3003
Modoc County Mental Health: 530-233-6312
Modoc County Environmental Health: 530-233-6310
Modoc County Alcohol & Drug Services: 530-233-6319
TTY Service: 530-233-2097
Fax: 530-233-5754