Metal fragments found in imported candy

The importer of a Valentine’s Day lollipop said it was voluntarily recalling the treats after metal fragments were found in at least two lollipops sold at central Florida stores.

Sherwood Brands of Maryland, which imports the candy from China, said it was recalling all of its Pokemon Valentine Cards and Pops, which have been pulled from the shelves of thousands of stores across the country.

About 20 lollipops were seized at Kathleen Elementary School in Lakeland. X-rays determined that only one piece definitely had metal -- what appeared to be a staple -- inside, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

On Wednesday, a woman in nearby Mulberry told authorities she found a lollipop with a piece of metal in it in a bag of the product. The metal appeared to be part of a razor blade, authorities said.

The sheriff’s office issued a safety advisory and the Dollar General chain removed the product from its more than 8,000 stores nationwide. The Food and Drug Administration is investigating.

Judd said the two tainted lollipops were purchased from different Dollar General stores near Lakeland. He said the lollipops did not appear to have been tampered with and it appeared the metal found its way into the candy in China, where it was produced.

No injuries were reported.

The sheriff’s office said Sherwood Brands was cooperating. “They are as concerned as we are,” Judd said.

Sherwood Brands did not return calls seeking comment Thursday but announced the recall in a statement.