Families who have bought sour rolling liquid candy since early 2023 should check pantries, cars, and backpacks. On Sept. 10, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that The Ricky Joy Company is recalling about 2.3 million Sour Crush Rolling Liquid Candy bottles because the rolling ball on top can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from choking.
The danger is the plastic ball applicator, not the candy inside. No incidents or injuries have been reported, according to the CPSC recall notice for the Sour Crush candy bottles. Still, the bottles are brightly colored and decorated with a cartoon monster, and the ball sits inside a child's mouth each time the candy is used.
The agency is telling consumers to stop using the bottles immediately, take them away from children and contact the company for a refund. If a bottle matches the description below, it should be put out of children's reach today, even if the ball still seems firmly attached.
Four Flavors and a Green Monster on the Label
The recall covers Ricky Joy-branded Sour Crush bottles that hold 1.85 fluid ounces of sour liquid candy, which is applied through a rollerball top. The plastic bottles came in four colors matched to flavors: blue for blue raspberry, red for strawberry, green for green apple, and pink for watermelon.
The front label is the fastest way to identify them. It shows the Ricky Joy logo, the words "EXTREME SOUR" and "SOUR CRUSH," the flavor name, and an image of a green monster. The candy was sold as single bottles and in packs of three or 12.
According to the CPSC, the bottles were sold at H-E-B, Forman Mills, and other candy stores nationwide, and online at Walmart.com, CandyFunHouse.com, RickyJoy.com, and other online retailers from January 2023 through May 2026. A single bottle cost about $3, and packs sold for $13 to $32. The candy was made in Colombia and imported by International Trade Imports LLC, which does business as Ricky Joy, in Cumming, Georgia. The recall number is 26-748.
Rolling Candy Has Drawn Federal Recalls Before
Sour Crush is not the first rolling candy to draw federal action. On Oct. 5, 2023, Candy Dynamics recalled about 70 million Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candies after receiving two reports that the rolling applicator ball had detached. No injuries were reported in that case.
A smaller recall announced the same day showed the stakes. The CPSC said it had received a report of a 7-year-old girl in New York who choked and died in April 2023 after the rolling ball on a Cocco Candy product dislodged and became trapped in her throat. The agency's Cocco Candy recall notice, which covered about 145,800 units, described the hazard as "a fatal choking risk."
There is no evidence that a Sour Crush bottle has hurt anyone. The earlier cases matter because they involve the same basic failure point: a small, smooth ball that sits inside a child's mouth during use. The Sour Crush notice does not say how the defect was identified.
Where the Bottles Were Sold and Who Faces the Most Risk
H-E-B, the San Antonio-based grocery chain, is the only supermarket chain named in the notice, so shoppers in Texas, where most of its stores are located, may want to check first.
Online sales through Walmart.com and other sites mean the candy could be in homes in any state. Novelty candy also travels beyond the person who bought it. It can end up in party favor bags, classroom trades, and holiday stockings, where the adult who made the purchase may never see a recall notice.
The CPSC notice does not name an age group. In general, choking risk is highest for young children, who have small airways and may get hold of an older sibling's candy. Children with swallowing difficulties or developmental conditions may also need closer supervision around small parts.
The candy liquid itself is not the concern. This recall involves a mechanical part, not contamination or an ingredient.
Refund Steps and Choking Warning Signs
Parents can take several practical steps today. First, gather any matching bottles from the home, car and school bags and put them out of reach.
Second, contact Ricky Joy at 404-975-0352 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, or through the company's recall page. The company will provide a prepaid shipping label to return the product for a refund, so keep the bottles until you receive instructions.
Third, tell grandparents, sitters, and teachers what the bottles look like. A photo of the green monster label is often the easiest way to share the warning.
Anyone who has seen a ball come loose or had a close call can report it at SaferProducts.gov, which the CPSC uses to track product hazards.
Choking is an emergency when a child cannot cry, speak, cough, or breathe, turns blue, or clutches at the throat. Call 911 right away. A child who is coughing hard and can still breathe may be clearing the object, and an adult should stay close and watch. After any choking episode, contact a pediatrician if coughing, wheezing, drooling, or trouble swallowing continues, because small objects can sometimes be inhaled without being noticed.
For most families, the fix is simple and costs nothing. Because novelty candy is rarely registered or tracked after purchase, recalls like this one depend on parents and caregivers passing the word along.
Key Questions Answered
Which candy is being recalled? Ricky Joy Sour Crush Rolling Liquid Candy bottles holding 1.85 fluid ounces, in blue raspberry, strawberry, green apple, and watermelon flavors, with a green monster on the label.
How many bottles are affected? About 2.3 million, sold individually and in packs of three or 12.
What is the hazard? The rolling ball can detach, posing a choking hazard. The candy itself is not the problem.
Have any children been hurt? No incidents or injuries have been reported for Sour Crush, according to the CPSC.
Where was it sold? At H-E-B, Forman Mills, and other candy stores nationwide, and online at Walmart.com, CandyFunHouse.com, RickyJoy.com, and other retailers from January 2023 through May 2026.
How do I get a refund? Contact The Ricky Joy Company at 404-975-0352 or through its recall page. The company will send a prepaid label to return the bottles.
When is choking an emergency? If a child cannot cry, speak, cough, or breathe, or is turning blue, call 911 immediately.
