Trick Or Treat? FDA Warns Against Too Much Black Licorice

healthland.time.com:

Just in time for Halloween, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning people away from eating too much black licorice.

For adults age 40 or older, the FDA says, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks may lead to arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, which could land you in the emergency room.

Read the whole story: healthland.time.com

Comments

[sacmom3]

02:05 PM on 10/31/2011

I don't know how I've lived so long. Everything I eat and do can kill me.

[banjopicker216]

10:56 AM on 10/31/2011

They used to call arrhythmia, "Halloween Hypertension" in the very old days! Back when black licorice was actually made from licorice root extract. And when black licorice was handed out on Halloween as a treat to kids. But now, it's made from anise oil which is harmless to everyone interacts with nothing, and which is why they make snow-ball flavoring with the stuff for little kids in the summer time. I prefer Australian Soft Black Licorice (KuKoburra brand) because that's the very best there is in my opinion.

[jf12]

11:11 AM on 10/31/2011

Correct about anise. And the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all.

[StephenJK]

10:44 AM on 10/31/2011

I once punched a horse in the mouth for offering me black licorice.

[MaaMaa8]

10:33 AM on 10/31/2011

I like Black Licorice. But, I think it's something I might eat twice a year. Don't know anyone who eats it daily. It's a bit overbearing.

[djselbac]

10:04 AM on 10/31/2011

That settles it .You have to go back.

[justintime30]

10:01 AM on 10/31/2011

I think black licorice is just plain disgusting.

[frizzlefrap]

11:48 AM on 10/31/2011

the only black licorice i like is the one in "good & plenty"

[Juda Farmer]

02:05 AM on 10/31/2011

So something thats been around for ages, is now bad for us.

I remember when they said Raw eggs would kill you. Even though body builders and healthnuts had been eating em that way for decades.....how many kids licked the cookie or cake batter bowl and didn't die?

Next thing you know, to much air is gonna be bad and we will have to hold our breaths....

[Saidas]

11:27 AM on 10/31/2011

The article doesn't say licorice is bad for you...it says too much licorice is. Most of what Americans eat has little or no licorice so therefore wouldn't have the affect mentioned. Licorice is an herb and like many herbs, if taken in large amounts can have adverse affects; that is the nature of herbs.

I've enjoyed licorice most of my life and never had a problem until I discovered Panda licorice. I started eating it almost daily and after several a week or so I started feeling terrible suddenly and couldn't figure out why. The only thing I could think of that was different was the licorice and as soon as I stopped eating it I felt fine again. I searched the subject and the symptoms mentioned were exactly what I experienced.

[Juda Farmer]

08:10 PM on 11/01/2011

Yes, but did you need the Govt to tell you Panda licorice was bad for you? No, you figured that out all by yourself.

My point really wasn't about the health part, just the "All the sudden this stuff is bad part". Like raw eggs. For centuries it bothered no one and suddenly they are bad. Just seems manufactured and trite.

[unclecrackre]

12:17 AM on 10/31/2011

I love black licorice. I eat it sometimes, but not all the time. What horse puckey!

[Ohsherri]

11:34 PM on 10/30/2011

Thank goodness for the FDA!
Just to be safe I think I'll swim in the water soaked with Corexit and eat the "safe"
fish from the same water.
I won't go near that black licorice though! No way!

[s5cat2dog]

11:27 PM on 10/30/2011

wow....much ado about nothing. I don't know anyone who even likes black licorice....it's foul.

[wkapriel]

10:49 PM on 10/30/2011

The FDA spent our taxes on that piece of anecdotal research on Licorice? No wonder we're in such financial trouble. How come we don't read anything about the high levels of fecal matter found in imported "farmed" seafood? Naaaa, too important, and might hurt the sales of seafood from our friends in Viet Nam, Korea, Japan and China. Want to do well in business? Go to war with the USA and lose. Then just wait.

[s5cat2dog]

11:27 PM on 10/30/2011

The Mouse That Roared.....this has been going on longer than you imply. Google it...

[Dave503]

08:15 PM on 10/30/2011

OK, I admit I really like licorice (if it isn't black, it isn't licorice!). Regardless, the dangers of eating it are greatly exaggerated - almost all the reports cited in the FDA report are anecdotal: someone had medical problems and they had eaten licorice in moderately large quantities. Obviously, licorice must be the culprit. This hardly constitutes quality evidence. I know many people who've had heart attacks, strokes, auto accidents, and tax audits who have been found to have eaten mashed potatoes or apples, yet no headlines appear warning us. You can die from drinking too much water, the salt in an average salt shaker can be lethal, etc. etc.

[Jesse EngAmer]

08:00 PM on 10/30/2011

Candy is unhealthy? Big surprise. Total waste of taxpayer money. This is simply the FDA's attempt to repair their image after after botching the recall of listeria-ridden cantaloupes. Instead of attacking every consumable vice the FDA should work on reducing the amount of contaminants they allow in our food. Take a look for yourselves…: http://eng.am/qbfYkY

[cocoagoddess81]

04:59 PM on 10/30/2011

I don't know a single soul who eats black licorice.

[mendlson]

03:36 PM on 10/30/2011

But I did hear that there is a new, Black Licorice vaccination being developed as we speak. Check with your doctor to see if you qualify and what the risks from potential side effects are.