Turns Out Eating Black Licorice Is Not Only Nasty, But Can Also Kill You

FoodBeast ^ | August 23, 2012 | Dominique Zamora

[Daffynition]

In case you needed more reason not to eat the worst “candy” in existence, a recent batch of black Red Vines licorice from Union City, Calif. has just been found to contain dangerous amounts of lead.

According to a recall issued yesterday, all one-pound bags of black Red Vines labeled “Best Before 020413″ should not be eaten and can be returned to their place of purchase for a full refund, after health officials found the batch to contain up to 13.2 micrograms of lead, or more than twice the state-recommended safe amount.

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

“,,,black licorice is in Italian sausage...”

Actually, it's Anise; a spice. Anise is also the flavoring in licorice, but licorice is NOT in Italian sausage.

[JerseyDvl]

Lol, my 3 children agree and never hesitate to let me know....Twizzler only!

[central_va]

Lead? There is a China connection here.

[central_va]

Lead? There is a China connection here.

[liberalh8ter]

The ouzo I've had goes down very smoothly but if you don't like the smell, it doesn't matter how smooth it is.

[momtothree]

I knew it. LOL! I love the cookies... especially with a good cup of coffee. YUM! (and I’m not a teeny bit Italian).

[Dr. Ursus]

Australian black licorice!

[ArrogantBustard]

I get casting lead from USA sources only ... the Chinese stuff is always contaminated with candy and toys.

[liberalh8ter]

We make one Anisette cookie that is actually fried and then drizzled with honey, sprinkled with orange peel and dusted with powdered sugar. Talk about addicting!

[Born to Conserve]

Anise flavor ruins anything it touches.

Same with caraway. Seeded rye bread is a crime against humanity.

Cinnamon is also universally bad. Cinnamon gum, in coffee or chocolate, etc — hell food.

Ginger, yuc.

There are so many “flavors” that are just garbage that poor cultures became accustomed to. I keep busy eating things that taste good.

[mamelukesabre]

no

anise is licorice and is present in italian sausage in HUGE amounts.

[mamelukesabre]

wrong

licorice is a flavor. Licorice and anise are the same flavor but different plants. Licorice root and anise seeds provide the same flavor.

[Born to Conserve]

“anise is licorice”

No, but they both taste like crap.

The Italians I know prefer fennel seed in their sausage and fennel bulb in their salads and hoagies. Fennel also tastes like crap.

[cpa4you]

There is a very long tradition of eating black licorice in my Danish family. So much so that I FedExed two pound bags to my 84 year old uncle and brother last October. If mom were still alive I'd have sent her a two pound bag, too.

Yeah, it's an “acquired taste.” Like so many acquired tastes, once acquired, it becomes preferred!

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

I learned something, thanks.

[End Times Sentinel]

While I concede black licorice is disgusting, but for overall worst, hands down it's Circus Peanuts.

[cport]

My fondest early childhood memories revolve around my father, Wrigley Field, Ernie Banks home runs, and a great big box of Good n Plenty for each of us. My pops was stationed in Great Mistakes (Great Lakes for the non USN types) IL, and I got to watch a few Hall of Famers play. Dad was underway alot, so this was one of the few memories that stand out.

Whenever he was home, he made sure he took a lot of time for his two boys. And because of that, whenever I eat any kind of licorice (my favorite candy), I think of how awesome my father is, and how blessed I am to still have him with me.

[Buckeye McFrog]

How did the lead get in there in the first place?
Nobody seems to be saying.

[Psalm 73]

"1) Black licorice is awesome. Great stuff! Anybody who doesn't like it is probably queer."

Roger that, ArrogantBustard.
I'm no homo - I LOVE black licorice.

[Buckeye McFrog]

but for overall worst, hands down it's Circus Peanuts

The texture of styrofoam combined with the taste of gasoline in convenient bite-sized form.