Valentine’s Day

Hershey sued over chocolate containing high levels of Lead & Cadmium!

Hershey sued over chocolate containing high levels of Lead & Cadmium!

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December 29, 2022 – Thursday Link to article is below (click on the image). “NEW YORK, Dec 29 (Reuters) – Hershey Co (HSY.N) has been sued by a consumer who accused the company of selling dark chocolate that contains harmful levels of lead and cadmium.”

Scene about Lead in chocolate & wine (filmed in February of 2012) from MisLEAD:America’s Secret Epidemic (a documentary.)

Scene about Lead in chocolate & wine (filmed in February of 2012) from MisLEAD:America’s Secret Epidemic (a documentary.)

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December 29, 2022 – Thursday Below is the final scene of the documentary feature film that I directed and produced, MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic about the epidemic of Lead poisoning in America today. This scene is about Lead in Chocolate (& Wine!). The scene was filmed in Boston, Mass in February of 2012 (more than…

My informational graphic responding to the chocolate manufacturers’ misinformation campaign — the Lead-in-chocolate controversy

My informational graphic responding to the chocolate manufacturers’ misinformation campaign — the Lead-in-chocolate controversy

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Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is a federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children, her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005. Since 2009 Tamara has been using XRF testing (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)…

The COMPLETE (ridiculous, greenwashed) statement published by HU on their website today (12/22/22). Stand by for my full response.

The COMPLETE (ridiculous, greenwashed) statement published by HU on their website today (12/22/22). Stand by for my full response.

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I copied and pasted this (full text below) from HU’s website. Direct link here. To Our Community December 22, 2022 An Important Message From The Hu Team To our cherished Hu Community, In the past few days, we’ve received messages from a number of you following a recent news story referencing Hu dark chocolate.  We’ve…

Last night (just before bed) I learned that my most-significantly-Lead-poisoned child (Avi) has been buying (& eating) HU Dark Chocolate. I’m furious.

Last night (just before bed) I learned that my most-significantly-Lead-poisoned child (Avi) has been buying (& eating) HU Dark Chocolate. I’m furious.

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I wanted to share the story below as a reminder to folks that we all do our best as parents, and still, things like this slip by. We should never panic. We cannot go back in time; we can only move forward and re-presence ourselves and our family to the science (a continually-evolving dataset) behind…

Here’s the #BS GREENWASHING response that HU Chocolate is sharing with concerned customers. I will publish my response to this shortly.

Here’s the #BS GREENWASHING response that HU Chocolate is sharing with concerned customers. I will publish my response to this shortly.

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For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Some preliminary thoughts on the Consumer Reports “Lead in Chocolate” article published today…

Some preliminary thoughts on the Consumer Reports “Lead in Chocolate” article published today…

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  For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama,…

“Valentine Love” square dish (Made in China): 17,200 ppm Lead on the food surface of the dish. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

“Valentine Love” square dish (Made in China): 17,200 ppm Lead on the food surface of the dish. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

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Saturday – October 10, 2020  Writing to you today from a cabin on a lake in a forest in MAINE! In an effort to get caught up on a few things I am behind on – I am going to post a handful of posts today with just the XRF readings for that item. IF…

MESA Home Products round dish with heart design: high levels of Lead & Cadmium found on the food surface of the dish.

MESA Home Products round dish with heart design: high levels of Lead & Cadmium found on the food surface of the dish.

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Saturday – October 10, 2020  Writing to you today from a cabin on a lake in a forest in MAINE! In an effort to get caught up on a few things I am behind on – I am going to post a handful of posts today with just the XRF readings for that item. IF…

Did you have one of these tiny crystal hearts as a kid? This one is 55% Lead [557,800 ppm!] 100 ppm is unsafe for kids.

Did you have one of these tiny crystal hearts as a kid? This one is 55% Lead [557,800 ppm!] 100 ppm is unsafe for kids.

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When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage (likely c. 1977-1989) crystal heart charm / fidget (it is not a bead, but something someone might hold in their hand or keep in a keepsake box)…. had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 557,800 +/- 77,000 ppm Antimony (Sb): 2,663 +/- 620 ppm Zinc (Zn): 21,100 +/-…

Vintage Corelle Plate With Maroon Flowers With Heart Petals: 20,300 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids] + Cadmium.

Vintage Corelle Plate With Maroon Flowers With Heart Petals: 20,300 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids] + Cadmium.

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To see more Corelle pieces I have tested, Click HERE. Vintage Maroon / Red Heart Petal Flower Pattern Corelle Plate (year of manufacture unknown). When tested with an XRF instrument the painted decorative border on the food surface of this vintage Corelle plate was positive for a very high level of Lead. To see the…

Pink (Violet) Duralex Picardie Colors Tumbler from Rainbow Set: Lead-Free, Arsenic-Free, Cadmium-Free and Mercury-Free!

Pink (Violet) Duralex Picardie Colors Tumbler from Rainbow Set: Lead-Free, Arsenic-Free, Cadmium-Free and Mercury-Free!

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Duralex “Picardie Colors” Goblet / Tumbler, Violet, 8-3/4 ounces. Made in France, purchased in December 2018. When tested with an XRF instrument this pink Duralex glass had the following readings: Lead (Pb): Non-Detect (Negative) Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect (Negative) Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect (Negative) Arsenic (As): Non-Detect (Negative) Vanadium (V): 101 +/- 25 ppm Titanium (Ti): 175…

#AskTamara: Are There Toxic Chemicals in my Hitachi “Magic Wand” Personal Massager/Vibrator?

#AskTamara: Are There Toxic Chemicals in my Hitachi “Magic Wand” Personal Massager/Vibrator?

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  Question: Are there toxic chemicals in my Hitachi “Magic Wand” personal massager/vibrator? Answer: Well, as a matter of fact, now that you ask, there were concerning levels of ANTIMONY (Sb) in the Magic Wand personal massager by Hitachi that I recently tested. Please note: I only tested ONE example of this product and this one…

#AskTamara: Q. Is there lead in my vintage sex toys? Answer. Maybe. This one has 8,109 ppm Lead + Cadmium – 18 ppm

#AskTamara: Q. Is there lead in my vintage sex toys? Answer. Maybe. This one has 8,109 ppm Lead + Cadmium – 18 ppm

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#AskTamara Question: Is there lead in my sex toys? [I get this question ALL THE TIME! LOL!] Answer: As with most things (when it comes to lead) the most important factor in determining if your sex-toys might have lead (or other heavy metals or toxicants) is when they were manufactured! [When as in “which century” or…

Vintage Queen Of Hearts Nancy Ann Storybook Doll, c. 1940: 6,255 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

Vintage Queen Of Hearts Nancy Ann Storybook Doll, c. 1940: 6,255 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

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Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is a federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children, her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005. Since 2009 Tamara has been using XRF testing (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)…

Portmeirion coffee mug with heart pattern design: 49,000 ppm Lead. For context, 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

Portmeirion coffee mug with heart pattern design: 49,000 ppm Lead. For context, 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

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Portmeirion – mug “microwave safe” – 49,000 ppm lead! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via GoFundMe or PayPal. Thank you!

Vintage 1951 Book – Sex Without Fear: 226 ppm Lead + 24 ppm Arsenic.

Vintage 1951 Book – Sex Without Fear: 226 ppm Lead + 24 ppm Arsenic.

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1951 printing “Sex Without Fear” (OMG! LOL! This was my great-uncle’s – he was a doctor & this is a prescription book!) Cover: 226 ppm lead & 24 ppm arsenic. Pages: 24 ppm lead.   New books are generally lead-free! 90 ppm lead and higher is considered unsafe for any items intended for use by children….

#SaferChoices: How to choose jewelry that is Lead-free, Cadmium-free & otherwise safe from a toxicant perspective

#SaferChoices: How to choose jewelry that is Lead-free, Cadmium-free & otherwise safe from a toxicant perspective

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  For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC…

#AskTamara: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about Cadmium?

#AskTamara: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about Cadmium?

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  For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method…