American Licorice recalls Red Vines Black Licorice Twists

Recall follows similar one by Lucky Country.

For the second time this month, a licorice company is voluntarily recalling product that potentially had too much lead.

American Licorice has voluntarily recalled packages of Red Vines Black Licorice Twists with a “Best Before Date” of Feb. 4, 2013 because they had as much as 13.2 micrograms of lead per serving, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says.

The maximum amount of lead a child younger than 6 years old should consume throughout an entire day is 6 micrograms according to the CDPH.

“We are taking every possible precautionary step to make this situation right, including working diligently with our retailers and public health officials in an effort to keep all Red Vines’ consumers as safe as possible,” reads a statement on American Licorice’s website.

The recall follows shortly after Lucky Country Inc., voluntarily recalled Lot A3057 of Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Black Licorice with Natural Ingredients from Costco and Smart & Final stores in California, Arizona, and Utah. That licorice had about about 7.2 micrograms of lead per serving.

Pat Kennelly, chief of the food safety section for the CDPH, says the timing of the recalls is purely coincidental. California has been periodically testing candy since 2006, and both confections just happened to be tested around the same time.

The state tests both domestic and imported candy, and both the Red Vines and Lucky Country licorice was made domestically.

Kennelly says in the past elevated lead in licorice has been caused by bad molasses, but that’s not necessarily the case with either of these products. It also could be caused by a buildup on the machinery or other factors.

Pregnant women and young children are most at risk for side effects from the lead, as it can affect neurological development in kids.

Consumers can return both brands to the store they bought it from for a full refund.

Anyone with question about the Red Vines recall can contact American Licorice at (866) 442-2783, and anyone with questions about the Lucky Country recall can contact Lucky Country at customerservice@lucky-country.com or at (828) 428-8313.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.