The Recall Desk
SevereFDA (Food)·F-2154-2012·Announced 2012-09-26

American Licorice Recalls Red Vines Mixed Bites Due to Lead

American Licorice Co is recalling Red Vines Mixed Bites because California health officials found elevated lead levels in the product.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II and involves elevated lead levels, which is a significant health hazard that can cause serious injury or adverse health effects.

Plain-English summary

American Licorice Co is recalling approximately 1.5 million pounds of Red Vines Mixed Bites, which include red and black licorice varieties. The recall was initiated after the California Department of Public Health collected random samples of Red Vines Black Licorice and detected elevated levels of lead in the product.

The affected products were distributed nationwide. The recall covers multiple packaging configurations, including Family Mix Half Pallets, Family Mix PDQs, Mixed Original Red/Black Licorice Bag Pallets, Family Mix 1/4 pallets, 96/5 ox mixed floor displays, Mixed 4 lb Jar Pallets, and Family Mix Pallets. Specific UPC codes for the affected items are listed in the official recall notice.

Consumers should stop using the recalled products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund or follow instructions provided by the manufacturer. This recall is classified as FDA Class II, indicating a reasonable probability that the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences.

The recalled product

Product
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 mix
Manufacturer
American Licorice Co
Category
Food — Candy
Hazard

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (1)

  • All candy

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 3 recalled by American Licorice Co under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 3 products in this recall →

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Same hazard · lead contamination

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