Mexican candy in the US: labeling and lead

Checked on 2026-10-31 · SupportMates LLC

FDA names “Mexican-style” candy with chile and tamarind in its lead guidance. Beyond the label, lead control is what keeps imports moving.

1. Lead: the 0.1 ppm recommendation

FDA's 2006 guidance recommends that lead in candy likely to be consumed frequently by small children not exceed 0.1 ppm. It explicitly includes Mexican-style candy with chile and tamarind, and powdered snack mixes. It is a recommendation, not a binding rule, but FDA says it may act against candy with lead at levels that may pose a health risk. Test your chile and tamarind inputs, and avoid lead-based inks on wrappers.

2. Small packages

Packages with less than 12 square inches available for labeling may omit the panel if they make no nutrition claims, but must show an address or phone number where consumers can get the information (101.9(j)(13)). Intermediate packages can use tabular or linear formats.

3. Everything else

• Ingredients in descending order (101.4), including color additives.
• Major allergens (peanuts are common in Mexican candy).
• Net quantity in metric and US units (101.105).
• English throughout; if you keep the original Spanish, required information must be complete in both languages.

Official sources (checked on 2026-10-31)

1. FDA — Guidance: Lead in Candy Likely To Be Consumed Frequently by Small Children (2006)
2. 21 CFR 101.9 — Nutrition labeling of food (eCFR)
3. 21 CFR 101.4 — Food; designation of ingredients (eCFR)
4. 21 CFR 101.105 — Declaration of net quantity of contents (eCFR)
5. FDA — Food Allergies (major food allergens)
6. 21 CFR 101.15 — Food; prominence of required statements, incl. foreign language (eCFR)

Guides

• How to make an FDA Nutrition Facts label to export food to the US
• Mexico NOM-051 warning seals: sizes, order and phases
• Nutrition Facts label template for small food brands
• FDA requirements for labeling and selling hot sauce and salsa
• How to label tortillas for sale in the US
• FDA labeling for coffee: do you need Nutrition Facts?
• Honey labels: how to declare added sugars
• NOM-051 for US brands exporting food to Mexico
• Nutrition Facts dual-column labels: when they are required
• How to calculate % Daily Value