Italy seizes contaminated Easter candies

ROME, April 22 (UPI) -- Police in Italy said they seized 19 tons of Easter eggs and other candies after inspections discovered a large number of sweets covered in mold or parasites.

Food health and safety officials said inspections found 295 producers across the country failed hygiene requirements or were selling products past their use-by dates, ANSA news agency reported Friday.

Other producers were accused of falsely promoting commercially manufactured Easter sweets as "hand-made."

Authorities said they were considering fines or legal action against 32 sweet manufacturers, bakeries and cake shops.

In southern Italy, police seized seven tons of raw materials after discovering three factories and two bakery warehouses failed to meet health and safety standards.

Authorities said the value of the products seized across the country was almost $725,000.