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State Agriculture Commissioner Issues Consumer Alert on Waxgourd Candy

NEWS RELEASE



Media Contacts:	Peter Gregg, Spokesman
		518-457-3136

For Immediate Release

New York - June 1, 2000 - State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers today issued an alert to consumers who are sensitive to peanuts not to consume a product labeled as "Waxgourd Candy" distributed by Strong America Limited, 1177 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11237, because the product is actually red skin peanuts.

The Department's Division of Food Safety and Inspection found the misbranded product being offered for sale in a retail store in Amherst (Buffalo area), New York. The product is in a twelve (12) ounce plastic bag that bears the name "Waxgourd Candy" in both English and Chinese. The label also indicates it as a "Product of China," and bears no visible container code.

The consumption of peanuts by allergic individuals has been reported to elicit severe reactions, to include death. Life threatening anaphylactic reaction can occur in sensitive individuals upon consumption or inhalation of peanut dust.

No illness or adverse reaction resulting from the consumption of this product has been reported.

Consumers who are allergic to peanuts and may have purchased this product should not consume it. They should either discard it or return it to the place of purchase.

Office of Public Affairs
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