KQED's Sarah Baughn today spoke to Pat Kennelly, chief of the Food Safety Section for the California Dept of Public health, about the recall of one lot of Red Vines Black Licorice Twists. The department found more than twice the level per serving considered safe to consume daily by children under six.
The candy is manufactured by Union City's American Licorice Co., which voluntarily recalled the product. Info on the recall from the company:
Only one pound bag (16 oz.) of Red Vines® Black Licorice Twists with a “Best Before Date” of 020413 are affected by this recall. The “Best Before Date” is located in black ink on the back of the package. American Licorice is notifying consumers not to eat this candy and asking they return to their place of purchase for a full refund.
Kennelly said the department has had an ongoing lead-testing program since 2006 for candy products, starting with imports from overseas and south of the border, then expanded to domestic companies.
"Out of fairness and out of concern that we're looking at all products, we've continued to look at all candy products in the marketplace," he said.
No illneses have yet to be associated with the licorice, Kennelly said. He said the department is working with the company to identify the source of the contamination.