More lead-tainted lunchboxes found in recent lab tests

California watchdog group takes legal action against six more producers and retailers of lead-tainted lunchboxes

Oakland, CA -- Recent independent laboratory testing commissioned by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has shown that some lead-tainted lunchboxes are still being sold in national chain stores. In testing this summer, the Center found several vinyl lunchboxes purchased at major retailers including Rite Aid, Staples, and Big Lots with elevated levels of lead. One lunchbox tested contained lead levels 24 times the legal limit for lead in paint. The testing found lead in the lining of lunch boxes, where it comes into direct contact with food.

A year ago, CEH brought national attention to the potential lead-poisoning hazard from vinyl children's lunchboxes and took legal action to stop the sale of the lead-tainted children's product. CEH has settled lawsuits against a number of companies, two of which - InGear and Fashion Accessory Bazaar - are already offering reformulated products for this season. But over a dozen other companies have yet to take action. Just last week, the non-profit watchdog group filed legal notices against six more companies for producing or selling lead-tainted lunchboxes.

"We are pleased that two leading lunchbox makers took this issue seriously and are making safer products for children in time for this back to school season," said Michael Green, Executive Director of CEH. "Their action shows that children's lunchboxes can be made without lead hazards. So it is hard to understand why so many other producers and retailers are dragging their feet and still selling our children this needlessly risky product."

Earlier this summer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), spurred by the CEH action, sent a notice to makers and suppliers of children's lunchboxes, calling for an end to marketing of such lead-tainted products. In their letter, FDA noted that "The adverse health effects of elevated lead levels in children are well-documented and may have long-lasting or permanent consequences. Because lead accumulates in the body, these effects can occur even at low exposure levels, and may include delayed mental and physical development, and learning deficiencies." The agency stated that since "migration of lead to food" kept in children's vinyl lunchboxes could "reasonably be expected," FDA urged producers "to refrain from marketing such lead-containing lunchboxes."

While the recent testing shows that many retailers are still selling lead-tainted vinyl lunchboxes, some retailers have reportedly taken action. In early August, Wal-Mart announced it would stop selling all vinyl-lined lunchboxes, according to news reports. "It's our hope that other retailers will follow suit, so parents can be sure that their children are safe from lead poisoning this season," said Green.

Last week, CEH sent legal notices of violation of California's Proposition 65 (prop 65) law to lunchbox retailers Rite-Aid, Staples, and 99 Cents Only Stores, and to lunchbox producers Cool Gear International, Haddad Accessories, and Global Design Concepts. Prop 65 requires warning labels on products that contain lead or other chemicals that can cause cancer or reproductive harm.

Because some lunchboxes still contain lead, the Center for Environmental Health recommends that parents should be cautious when purchasing a child's lunchbox. Because the lead is found in vinyl, parents can avoid lead by buying vinyl-free lunchboxes. Parents can also use an inexpensive test kit to check lunch boxes for lead.

For alternatives to vinyl lunchboxes and other information, see http://www.cehca.org/lunchboxes.htm 

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