Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, on Thursday advised consumers not to eat Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Licorice Black Natural Ingredients (Lucky Country Natural Black Licorice) candy, Lot A3057, after tests conducted by CDPH found the products contained levels of lead that exceeded the state’s standards.

Lucky Country Natural Black Licorice candy is manufactured and distributed by Lucky Country, Lincolnton, N.C., which has initiated a voluntary recall. Consumers in possession of the candy should discard it immediately.

Recent analysis of this candy by CDPH determined that Lucky Country Natural Black Licorice candy, Lot A3057, contained as much as 0.18 parts per million of lead.

This concentration of lead could provide up to 7.2 micrograms of lead per serving and children under 6 years of age should not consume more than 6.0 micrograms of lead per day from all dietary sources.

CDPH is currently working with the manufacturer to ensure that the contaminated candies are removed from the market place.

Lucky Country Natural Black Licorice candy is sold in a 1.5 pound package that is red, white, and black in color. A drawing of a kangaroo appears on the package next to the candy name.  

Pregnant women and parents of children who may have eaten this candy should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed. Information, including photos, is available on the CDPH Web site, www.cdph.ca.gov .

Consumers who find this candy for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 800-495-3232.

For more information about lead poisoning, contact your county childhood lead poisoning prevention program or public health department.

Additional information is available on the CDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention page at www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/CLPPBChildrenAtRisk.aspx .