Popular Gummy Candies Recalled For Possibly Containing 'Metal Strand'

Certain Skittles, Starburst and Life Savers gummy candies are being recalled because they may contain metal strands.

Specifically, the recalled products may have a "very thin metal strand" either embedded in the gummies or loose in the bag, the company announcement posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website noted. Mars Wrigley Confectionery learned of the problem after it received customer reports regarding the issue.

The products were manufactured by a third party, according to the company. They were then distributed in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In the U.S., the recall affects several varieties of Skittles, Starburst and Life Savers gummy candies, including products such as Starburst Gummies Original Share size 3.5-oz, Life Savers Wild Berries Gummies Peg Pack 7.0-oz and Skittles Gummies Original Peg Pack 5.8-oz, with the Skittles gummies being a relatively new product that only launched nationwide early last year.

Consumers may find the complete list and photos of the affected products on the FDA website. Also available on the website are various important information people need to look at when determining if they have an affected product, such as UPC numbers, item numbers and the first three digits of the 10-digit manufacturing codes.

"Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC will work with retailers to remove recalled products from store shelves," the company noted in the announcement. "If consumers believe they have purchased a recalled item, they should dispose of the product and not consume it."

The company is so far "not aware" of any illnesses or injuries related to the recall. Those with questions about the recall may contact the company at 1-800-651-2564.

Foreign matter is any type of "outside contaminant" introduced to a food product. In some products, the particles may be a natural part of the food, such as bones or shells. In these cases, consumers are unlikely to experience any injuries since they are aware of the presence, except if it has been labeled to have had these particles removed.

Food facilities have foreign matter control programs depending on their needs. This may include using detection devices to remove foreign matter, such as metal detectors, X-rays or magnets.

Photo: Pixabay-samanthab8