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

Recall Insight

This FDA Food action (record #F-2167-2012) was formally reported on September 26, 2012, with the manufacturer initiating the action on August 21, 2012. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. American Licorice Co is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Union City, CA. Federal records indicate ~1,5 million pounds, all products units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: CA Dept. of Public Health collected random samples of Red Vines Black Licorice and found elevated levels of lead in the product. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Nationwide distribution.. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Food. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 14 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.