February 15, 2008
A Maryland-based candymaker who says he imported a Valentine's Day lollilop named after Pokemon is recalling the treats after metal fragments were said to have been found in at least two lollipops sold in Central Florida.
Sherwood Brands of Maryland said it is recalling all of its Pokemon Valentine Cards and Pops, which have been pulled from the shelves of thousands of stores across the country.
A law enforcement official in Florida said roughly 20 lollipos were seized from Kathleen Elementary School in Lakeland, Fla. but only one lolliop definitely had metal, which appeared to be a staple, which had been baked inside the lollipop.
A woman claimed that a lollilop she purchased from the same brand had a metal that resembled parts of a razor blade.
While the Food and Drug Administration is looking into the matter, wire reports said that a dollar store chain which has more than 8,000 stores nationwide, Dollar General, was pulling the lollilops from its shelves immediately.
As a precautionary move, Dollar General announced Friday that they had pulled another product sold by Sherwood Brands called "Dog Artist Collection Valentine Cards and Pops" from its shelves.
Many products from China have come under scrutiny from consumers in the United States this year and this is the latest scare to come from a product manufactured and shipped from China.
