The vast majority of food recalls issued by manufacturers and grocery stores such as Walmart are focused on so-called high risk food items. These are foods that are most likely to carry the pathogens and bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses and include meat and other animal products, raw fruit and vegetables, and unpasteurized juices. Candy is much less likely to cause food safety issues thanks to most being dry, highly processed, and full of preservatives.
However, every food, including candy, poses some risk to consumers be it through microbiological risks, manufacturing errors, or incorrect labeling practices as the recalls included in this article prove. One thing to consider is that many candies are marketed to children. This means that these products must be designed to be safe for consumers of all ages by removing choking hazards, for example.
Unfortunately, these steps are not always taken or executed properly, leaving children, and indeed other consumers, incredibly vulnerable to injury, illness, and sometimes even death. 1. Rolling candies recalled after fatality In October 2023, a massive recall was issued for two brands of rolling candies, Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candy and Cocco Candy Rolling Candy.
Over 70 million units of these products were recalled after it was discovered that the ball applicator, which consumers lick the liquid candy off of, could become dislodged and pose a potential choking hazard. Unfortunately, this recall only came six months.
