The America Licorice Company of California is expanding their recall of licorice candies because of unacceptable levels of lead. You can see all of the product labels on this form. The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat the candy.
The greatly expanded list of recalled candies includes the 2.5 ounce Black Licorice Bar, the 8 ounce Jumbo Black Licorice Hanging Bag, the 5 ounce Black Licorice Tray, the 7 and 16 ounce Black Licorice Laydown Bag, the 4 pound Black Licorice Jar, and the 8 ounce Mixed Bites Hanging bag. Also recalled are the 16 ounce Mixed Bites Bag, the 24 and 32 ounce Family Mix Laydown Bag, the 5.5 ounce Snaps Hanging Bag, the 4.5 ounce Snaps Theater Box, and the 12 ounce Snaps Tin. Red Vines Sugar Free Black Licorice and Red Flavor Licorice products are not subject to this recall.
The candies were sold nationwide, including at Copps, D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Glen’s Markets, Glen’s Fresh Market, Haggen, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pick’n Save, Rainbow, Spartan, TOP Food & Drug, Tops, Valu Land, VG’s Grocery, VG’s Fresh Market, and Wegmans.
Lead can get into candy through ingredients such as chili powder, salt, or tamarind if those ingredients are mined from certain parts of the world where lead levels are elevated. Lead can also be introduced into candies through improper drying, storing, or grinding these ingredients.
Pregnant women and parents of children who have eaten these candies should contact their health care provider to decide if medical testing is needed. If you find this candy for sale anywhere, please call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232. And you can find more information on lead poisoning at the CDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention page, and the FAQ about Lead Products page.
