FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-EMERGENCYNET NEWS SVC.-07/28/92-1200CDT

             ******PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT******

JUICE CONTAMINATED WITH LEAD, RECALL ORDERED

By: Paul Anderson

Chicago, IL -  The Chicago Dept. of Health has determined
that a brand of fruit juices that are commonly sold in the
Hispanic community can be contaminated with dangerous levels
of lead.  The juice flavors involved include; apple, pear,
plum, guava, mango, papaya, pineapple, apricot, and maybe
others of the same manufacture.  They were produced by the
Empacadora de Frutas y Jugos of Mexico City, Mexico.

According to health inspectors, this is potentially a
"serious situation".  Sheila Lyne, Chicago Health
Commissioner, says that the fruit juices are believed
involved in at least one serious injury in the State of
California.  Commissioner Lyne says that a baby there
suffered severe brain damage due to lead poisoning.

Health Dept. chemists say that the contamination is caused by
a "leeching" of lead solder that was used in the production
of the cans themselves.  They indicate that affected cans are
likely to identified by the last four (4) digits of a
numerical code on the bottom of the cans.  Reportedly, those
cans with the last four numbers of 2084 OR BELOW are being
recalled.  Health officials say that any fruit juices
with these numbers should not be consumed.

Doctors report that enough lead is present in the juices to
cause acute lead poisoning in small children. Symptoms of
this condition include; headaches, nausea, vomiting, memory
loss, seizures, weight loss, coma and even death.  Parents
who think that their children may have consumed these juices,
or who may be exhibiting these symptoms are urged to seek
medical attention immediately.

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