The Hawai'i Department of Health said today that it is still waiting to hear from the federal Food and Drug Administration about tests the agency has conducted on White Rabbit candy, a popular brand of confection made in China and sold in U.S. markets, including Hawai'i.

The candy was pulled this week from shelves in Hawai'i, as well as locations on the U.S. Mainland and in other countries after candy in New Zealand was found to contain melamine, a toxic chemical illegally added to China's dairy supplies.

The FDA said today it is recommending "that consumers not eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy and that retailers and foodservice operations remove the product from sale or service."

Today's FDA statement did not mention the agency's own tests on the candy, but said results by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority showed high levels of melamine contamination in the candy. So far, the statement added, "the FDA is not aware of any illnesses in the United States stemming from consumption of ... White Rabbit" candy, or any other suspected products.

Although the FDA has so far not reported finding melamine in any products shipped to the United States, state Health Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo said the agency is advising Hawai'i residents to use their best judgment regarding the candy.

"There is no official recall on it," Okubo said. "Our advice to the public is that if they are concerned, they have the choice of discarding the candy, trying to return it to the store, or holding on to it and not eating it until we hear the FDA results."

Okubo said the major distributor of White Rabbit candy in Hawai'i voluntarily pulled it from circulation as a precaution even thought it was not required. She also said numerous local retail outlets, such as Longs, have pulled the candy from their shelves.

Melamine has been found in contaminated food products that have killed four Chinese babies and sickened 54,000 people.