The Government is taking action to protect children from dangerous products by proposing a new guideline regarding the amount of cadmium that may be found in children's jewellery.

"With the new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act now in place, the law is clear," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "Consumer products that pose a danger to human health or safety may not be manufactured, distributed, imported or sold in Canada. This proposed guideline makes our expectations of industry clear."

Cadmium is a heavy metal which is known to be highly toxic when ingested. Health Canada is proposing a guideline regarding total cadmium concentration in children's jewellery of 130 parts per million (0.013%).  It is believed this concentration would help protect children from cadmium poisoning following accidental ingestion, or prolonged licking and sucking, of these products.  Stakeholders affected by this proposed guideline have until October 10, 2011 to provide comments on the proposal.   

"Parents want the products they buy for their children to be safe", said Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director at Safe Kids Canada.  "Young children explore their world through touch and taste, so guidelines like this ensure products children use often will be safer."

"With the new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, we have the tools to better identify and track emerging problems with consumer products," said Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa-Orleans.  "Our government has, and will continue, to play a critical role in helping to protect the health and safety of the people we serve."

Read the news release .