Ricky Joy Sour Crush Candy Recall: Choking Hazard

Recall Risk Assessment

Nearly 2.3 million bottles of Ricky Joy Sour Crush candy have been recalled due to a choking hazard. The small, rolling ball (the magic ingredient, a play on the candy’s image) can pose a risk to consumers. Lisa Taub, a volunteer for a child safety advocacy group, relayed that she was stunned to hear of the hazard. "It is essential that kids get treats that don’t threaten their safety." The US Consumer Product Safety Commission classifies small balls as a choking hazard if they are smaller than 1.25 inches in diameter. A small ball meant to "crush" may present a similar risk. In this instance, the FDA describes similar incidents as rare. For now, the FDA has not heard of any injuries or illnesses caused by the candy. Not a complete surprise. The FDA estimated that only a small percentage of consumers have bought the defective candy, or returned the treat to the manufacturer.

National Impact

Ricky Joy Sour Crush candies were not sold exclusively in a local shop. They were available nationwide, with major retailers such as Walmart stocking them on their shelves. Walmart’s official statement confirmed the recall, yet assured customers that their safety is the warehouse’s priority. The store is now working quickly to remove and dispose of the potentially hazardous candy. Still, many customers underplay the risk. The common line: “there’s always a risk with candy like this.” The root of the problem, then, is a larger problem than just a faulty candy. The larger risk is a lack of diligence from both manufacturer and consumer.

Clear Communication

The recall notice was clear, but was it communicated clearly? Clearly, the issue lies in the lack of visibility of the recall information. Consumers should seek more information on their favorite candy websites. Even at their best, store announcements have limited reach. The marketplace assumes that consumers are alert and proactive. But recall announcements often go unnoticed and unread. Ricky Joy’s shutdown of production is an expensive lesson to learn. The public may have to take up the mantel of accountability. If the FDA remains silent, then consumers have to remember to check websites.

Safety Inspection

How does with it get to this point? The on-screen text specifies SOUR CRUSH | RECALL | CAN BE A CHOKING HAZARD | @TASTEBUD and other phrases. First, the product design itself needs to be checked. Somebody somewhere in the process of shipping out the candy failed to check. The Sourcing Recall suggests a comprehensive audit of the production process. Once the courier returns the defective stock, the factory must destroy the merchandise. Each batch of candy is thoroughly checked for any dangers. Though it seems like a no-brainer, the best time to prevent this is before shipping.