STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Candy company Haribo said it is pulling blackface licorice candies from the Swedish market following complaints they are racist.

Ola Dagliden, head of the German-headquartered company's Swedish wing, said the offending licorice pieces were being removed from the Skipper Mix packets after customers complained they resembled racist caricatures, TheLocal.se reported Friday.


"I understand the criticism and think it's important to listen to the customers," Dagliden said.

He said the complaints started in December.

"After that, we made the decision to take the candy in question out of production," he said.

Dagliden said the Skipper Mix packets will still be available, but the blackface licorice will no longer be included.