Safe to Swallow

Pei Pei Sung remembers candy from her grandparents.


Pei Pei Sung, Safe to Swallow, acrylic on paper, 10 x 3½ inches, 2009.

Grandma and Grandpa used to ship us care packages from Taiwan to Wisconsin. Tucked in quilted blankets were a special treat—White Rabbit Candy.

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Los Angeles Times
U.S., state issue warnings on Chinese candy White Rabbit

Officials urge consumers to discard the candy after the chemical melamine is detected in some pieces.

September 27, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration and state health authorities warned consumers Friday not to eat any flavors of White Rabbit candy imported from China because they may be contaminated with the chemical melamine.

The California Department of Public Health specifically identified White Rabbit candies imported and distributed by Queensway Foods Co. of Burlingame, Calif. Queensway is voluntarily recalling the chewy sweets after state testing detected melamine in some pieces.

Melamine is the compound associated with contaminated infant formula in China and last year¹s large recall of pet food.

The warning on the candies came as the FDA recommended that consumers avoid Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products being recalled by Taiwan's Car Food Industrial Co.

The FDA said it was not aware of any illnesses in the U.S. linked to either the candy or the coffee and tea products. California officials urged consumers in possession of White Rabbit candy to discard it immediately.

The White Rabbit candies distributed by Queensway come in various flavors, including vanilla, red bean, coffee, corn, lychee, coconut, chocolate, mango and strawberry cream. All varieties have a picture of a white rabbit with a black background on the top of the bag.

Consumers with questions about the recalled product can contact Queensway at (650) 697-6633.
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all about White Rabbit Candy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rabbit_Creamy_Candy

where to buy White Rabbit Candy: www.veryasia.com/whraca.html

Pei Pei Sung is a part of the Telephone Room Gallery's Hello! show, on view from February 18 to April 30, 2009. Viewable by appointment—please email us. Don't be shy.