Hitting home

The dog food disaster didn't effect me since I don't have a dog. I don't have a child who needs formula and live in China so that one didn't worry me either because it didn't directly effect me.

Now, there is this news.

The Department of Consumer Protection warned consumers Wednesday not to eat "White Rabbit Creamy Candy," imported from China and distributed by Queensway Foods Company Inc. of Burlingame, Calif.

The candy was found on several Connecticut store shelves the week of Sept. 29 by agency food safety inspectors and removed, agency Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. said. Tests by the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station Laboratory have determined that the product contains melamine, he said.

Melamine has been associated recently with contaminated infant formula and other milk protein-containing products in China, as well as a major pet food recall last year. The chemical is used in plastics manufacturing and as an adulterant in foods to simulate protein.

Consumers who have White Rabbit candy should discard it immediately, Farrell said. Individuals who have already consumed the candy and have questions about its heath impact should consult their health-care providers, he said.

Queensway Foods Company Inc. has initiated a recall of all varieties of the White Rabbit candy, which is packaged in plastic bags with individually wrapped pieces inside. All varieties of the candy have a picture of a white rabbit with a black background on the top of the bag; Chinese characters are also present on the label.

"Our inspectors are currently obtaining retail-level distribution information from the company, and we will provide this information to the public as soon as it is available," Farrell said. "Meanwhile, we continue our work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help in the inspection and evaluation of imported food items that could contain milk or milk protein from China."

At this time, it appears that the product was sold primarily in Asian food stores. Consumers with questions about the recalled product may contact

I do eat this candy, I don't have any at this moment but it isn't unusual for me to have some around. However, much like the Roma tomato scare I will probably throw caution to the wind and have some, eventually, but not today.