Popular Union City-based candy maker American Licorice has issued a recall on its black licorice products that were found to have high traces of lead, the company announced Wednesday.
The California Department of Public Health notified the company and issued a warning that their Red Vines Licorice Twists had twice the recommended childhood daily limit of the toxic metal, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
The candy, manufactured in Union City, had a lead level exceeding the state's standards and consumers should discard it immediately, said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health.
Only the one-pound bags marked a with 'Best Before 020413' (Feb. 4, 2013) have been affected, the company said.
Pregnant women and parents are advised to contact their health care providers if they or their chidren have eaten the affected candy.
The company said it has separated the candy from the rest of its products at the factory and that a full refund will be issued to consumers.
You can read more on the recall here on the Mercury News website.
View the full American Licorice statement here. For information about lead poisoning prevention, visit the CDPH website.
