SACRAMENTO — The state’s top health officer warned consumers Wednesday against eating a black licorice candy produced in the East Bay that could lead to consumption of twice the recommended childhood daily limit of the toxic metal.

One lot of the candy, Red Vines Black Licorice Twists, had a lead level exceeding the state’s standards, and consumers should discard it immediately, said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health.

The candy bag label is marked a with ‘Best Before 020413’ (Feb. 4, 2013) label.

Testing revealed that the suspect lot has much as 0.33 parts per million of lead. This concentration of lead, the health department said in a news release, could result in up to 13.2 micrograms of lead per serving. Children under 6 years of age should not consume more than 6.0 micrograms of lead per day from all dietary sources.

Pregnant women and parents of children who may have eaten this candy should consult their physicians or health care providers to determine if medical testing is needed.

Red Vines Black Licorice Twists are sold in a one-pound package that is light red with the Red Vines name in bold white letters. The black licorice candy shows through the package.

The candy is manufactured and distributed by American Licorice Co. in Union City. The company voluntarily sought the recall, the health department said.

Consumers who find this candy for sale can call the health department’s complaint hotline at 800-495-3232.