Food recall

American Licorice Co recall: Red Vines Black Licorice Twists

American Licorice Co, of Union City, CA, recalled Red Vines Black Licorice Twists and 2 other products. The FDA's reason: “CA Dept. of Public Health collected random samples of Red Vines Black Licorice and found elevated levels of lead in the product.” The FDA classified it Class II: it could cause temporary or minor harm. The company began the recall voluntarily on August 21, 2012, and the FDA first listed it in its Enforcement Report of September 26, 2012. The FDA has closed the recall: it found the company did all it reasonably could to remove or correct the product.

How serious

Class II

It could cause temporary or minor harm

Why

Lead or other chemicals

Status

Terminated

Closed June 23, 2015

The recall

Company
American Licorice Co (Union City, CA)
Reason, in FDA's words
“CA Dept. of Public Health collected random samples of Red Vines Black Licorice and found elevated levels of lead in the product.”
Where it was sold
Nationwide distribution.
Recall began
, by the company
FDA classified it
First in an FDA Enforcement Report
FDA event number
62984

The 3 products recalled

As the FDA describes them, with the codes that tell whether a package is part of the recall.

  • F-2148-2012 Class II

    Red Vines Black Licorice Twists; No preservatives and Always Fat Free Packaged in the following configurations: One Pound Pac: Red and white Plastic bag with a window to display licorice twists. UPC 0 41364 00283 5; 5 oz Black Licorice Tray Pack; UPC 4136451277 and 4136450277; 7 oz Black Licorice Laydown Bag: UPC 4136454347: 8 oz Jumbo Black twists hanging bag; UPC 4136400231; 2.5 oz Black Licorice Bar; 4 lb Black Licorice Jar, UPC 413400103; Ingredients: Molasses, Wheat Flour, corn Syrup, Caramel Coloring, Licorice Extract, Salt and Anise Flavor. American Licorice Company Union City, CA

    Codes: All candy

    Quantity: `1.5 million pounds, all varieties

  • F-2154-2012 Class II

    RED VINES Mixed Bites; Red and Black licorice mixed bites. UPC: 4136400288 and 4136451277. Family Mix Half Pallet; UPD 4136421697; Family Mix PDQ; UPC 4136455297; Mixed Original Red/Black Licorice Bag Pallet; UPC 413466283; Family Mix 1/4 pallet; UPC 4136424097; 96/5 ox mixed floor display; UPC 4136454279; Mixed 4 lb Jar Pallet 120 original Red/30 Black licorice; UPC 4136421543; Family Mix Pallet: UPC 3146436097; American Licorice Company Union City, CA

    Codes: All candy

    Quantity: ~1.5 million pounds- all varieties

  • F-2167-2012 Class II

    Original Snaps Classic Chewy Candy; packed in 5.5 oz bags, 4.5 oz theatre box and 12 oz. tins. UPC 5.5 oz - 4136408300; 4.5 oz Theatre Box UPC 4136408302; Theatre box shipper UPC 4136408295. 12 oz tin UPC 4136408299; American Licorice Company Union City, CA

    Codes: All candy

    Quantity: ~1,5 million pounds, all products

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Source and notes

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Enforcement Reports (openFDA food recall data) (Public domain (U.S. government work); source U.S. Food and Drug Administration, openFDA), data as of September 26, 2012.

Each week the FDA lists the recalls it has classified in its Enforcement Report, often weeks after the company announced the recall, so a month with five weekly reports tends to count more. Each recall counts once, however many products it covers, in the month FDA first listed it. Class I means the food could cause serious harm or death, Class II temporary or minor harm, and Class III is unlikely to harm anyone. Meat, poultry and most egg products are recalled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the FDA, and aren't included. For what to do with a recalled product, see the FDA's recalls page.