Cali sues over lead in candy

California has sued several large retailers and candy makers, claiming they have exposed consumers to high levels of lead from candied plum and ginger products.

The state filed suit in San Francisco Superior Court on April 30 against Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target and other outlets, accusing the retailers of knowingly selling products containing lead—a violation of Proposition 65, according to SFGate.com. The Center for Environmental Health in Oakland launched an investigation last fall, conducting tests of the products and informing the retailers when they were in violation of the law.

Proposition 65 requires all California businesses to warn consumers about chemicals in their products that cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive disorders.