The American Candy That Never Saw a Ban
For decades, Twizzlers, produced by Y&S Candies, Inc., a division of The Hershey Company, have been a staple in American snack aisles. The candy first debuted in 1929 and has remained a popular confectionary item ever since. Unlike some other food items that have faced permanent bans in various countries due to ingredient concerns, Twizzlers have enjoyed a long and uninterrupted history on the market. The widespread notion that the red, chewy twists were banned is a classic case of mistaken identity and rumor amplification, which often occurs with sensational food stories.
The rumors suggesting a complete ban are false and have no basis in fact within the United States. Twizzlers have continuously been produced and sold under the supervision of US food safety authorities. Any stories citing a ban are mistaking them for a completely different product or confusing a temporary recall with a permanent cessation of sales.
Origin of the Confusion: The UK's Turkey Twizzlers
The most significant source of confusion stems from a highly publicized incident in the United Kingdom involving a processed meat product called "Turkey Twizzlers." In 2005, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched a television campaign called Jamie's School Dinners, which exposed the poor nutritional quality of many foods served in UK school canteens. Turkey Twizzlers, a spiralized meat product from manufacturer Bernard Matthews, became a notorious symbol of unhealthy school food during this campaign.
Oliver’s public outcry, supported by public petition and media attention, led to the product being banned from school menus across the UK. The original Turkey Twizzlers contained only 34% turkey meat and were criticized for their high fat and salt content. While the company eventually reformulated the product and relaunched it years later, the ban on the original version created a strong, lasting impression in the public memory. The similarity in name between the UK's Turkey Twizzlers and the US candy Twizzlers has frequently led people to conflate the two events.
Recalls vs. Bans: The Hershey Company's History
It is essential to distinguish between a product ban and a product recall. While a ban permanently removes a product from the market, a recall is a temporary, precautionary measure often related to a specific manufacturing batch.
On a few rare occasions, Twizzlers have been involved in recalls or food safety incidents. A notable example is the 2025 recall of specific Twizzlers batches due to the potential presence of small metal fragments resulting from a manufacturing equipment issue. This was a voluntary recall initiated by Hershey's to ensure consumer safety, not a permanent ban. Similarly, past incidents like a reported needle found in a package during Halloween (with police suspecting no foul play) further highlight that such isolated, product-specific issues are not equivalent to a brand-wide ban.
Outbound Ingredients and Import Limitations
Adding to the global confusion, different countries have varying regulations concerning food additives. Certain additives commonly used in US-made candies, including some in Twizzlers, are restricted or banned in the European Union and the UK. This means that some imported American Twizzlers and other candies cannot be legally sold in certain markets. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute in the UK has issued warnings about the risks of imported American sweets containing unauthorized ingredients linked to potential health issues. These restrictions on imports contribute to the misconception that the candy is universally banned when, in reality, it's a regulatory issue regarding specific additives in foreign markets.
Interestingly, recent reports have clarified that US Twizzlers do not contain Red Dye #3, a colorant that has been subject to regulatory scrutiny and removal in the US due to health concerns. The Hershey Company has not used this dye in their products for years, demonstrating proactive ingredient management.
Comparison: US Twizzlers vs. UK Turkey Twizzlers
| Feature | US Twizzlers (Candy) | UK Turkey Twizzlers (Meat Product) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Chewy, licorice-style confectionery | Processed, spiral-shaped turkey meat |
| Manufacturer | The Hershey Company (via Y&S Candies) | Bernard Matthews |
| Primary Market | United States (widely sold globally) | United Kingdom (originally) |
| Ban Status | Never banned from general sale. Occasional recalls for specific batches. | Banned from schools in 2005, discontinued, then relaunched with new recipe. |
| Reason for Ban/Controversy | Mostly confusion with the UK product and temporary recalls. | Poor nutritional value, high fat, and low meat content, highlighted by chef Jamie Oliver. |
| Key Ingredients | Corn syrup, sugar, wheat flour, artificial flavors, Red 40. | Turkey meat (low percentage in original), pork fat, rusk, coatings. |
The Anatomy of a Food Urban Legend
The story of the "banned Twizzler" fits a common pattern found in food-related urban legends. These myths spread rapidly through word-of-mouth and, more recently, via social media, often fueled by legitimate stories of food tampering or recalls. As misinformation is shared, crucial details like the product name or country of origin are lost or distorted. The confusion between an American candy and a British meat snack perfectly illustrates how easily a simple fact—that Turkey Twizzlers were banned—can be misinterpreted and applied to a different, unrelated product with a similar name. The fear of tainted Halloween candy is another long-standing urban legend that spreads in a similar way, where isolated incidents are inflated into widespread threats.
Conclusion: The Truth Unwrapped
The myth of a permanent Twizzlers ban is decisively false. The rumor is a product of two distinct events: the actual ban of the highly-processed UK product, Turkey Twizzlers, and a misunderstanding of standard, temporary recalls affecting specific batches of American Twizzlers. The candy, a longtime American favorite, remains widely available and legally sold. Understanding the difference between regulatory actions in various countries and distinguishing between product types is key to unwrapping the truth behind this popular food myth. So, next time you hear the story, you can clarify the common candy conspiracy.
Check out the history of Twizzlers on Wikipedia for more details about the candy's origins.
Note: The content mentions the Red Dye #3 topic, which is related to food safety but not the reason for the Twizzlers 'ban' myth. It serves as an example of another food safety issue. The information provided reflects publicly available data as of the last update; consumers should always refer to official sources like the FDA and manufacturer websites for the most current recall information and product details.
