Our first candy treat is (hopefully) going to be the most politically incorrect one. 
Apparently Yugoslavian in origin, it has apparently been used as a prank candy for Halloween, due to the culturally inflamitory name stamped in big red capital letters on the side.
When I showed the wrapper to one of my friends they were at first a bit shocked, and then recovered themselves by mentioning it is a neutral term for "black" in many parts of the world. It also features what appears to be a stylised (paleface) bargeman dressed in Edwardian-style (black) clothing. The wrappers colors of white, black and red are not particularly horrifying, nor are they appealing, however the layout is such that either the bargeman or the writing appears twice on the wrapper, but not both.
Wrapper Design 3/5
Despite this intercultural marketing blunder it is, in fact, quite a tasty little lolly. slightly aniseedy butterscotch-mint hard shell covers a crumbly caramel centre. While this sounds horrifying, unless you have an absolute distaste for aniseed, it's actually quite tasty, as well as being novel. Taste 3.5/5
I wouldn't actually recommend it as a candy for kids however, as most of the ones I know don't like aniseed, nor do I think that it will encourage positive relationships with other children. Maturity M15+
Despite this, the candy's unusual taste and name can, if taken in good humor, make it a very novel talking point at parties. Novelty 4.5/5
The candies cost around AU$10/kilo which seems slightly cheaper than average pricing. Cost 3/5
Overall 4 An unusual and tasty treat, slightly marred by an unfortunate choice of name.
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Apparently Yugoslavian in origin, it has apparently been used as a prank candy for Halloween, due to the culturally inflamitory name stamped in big red capital letters on the side.When I showed the wrapper to one of my friends they were at first a bit shocked, and then recovered themselves by mentioning it is a neutral term for "black" in many parts of the world. It also features what appears to be a stylised (paleface) bargeman dressed in Edwardian-style (black) clothing. The wrappers colors of white, black and red are not particularly horrifying, nor are they appealing, however the layout is such that either the bargeman or the writing appears twice on the wrapper, but not both.
Wrapper Design 3/5Despite this intercultural marketing blunder it is, in fact, quite a tasty little lolly. slightly aniseedy butterscotch-mint hard shell covers a crumbly caramel centre. While this sounds horrifying, unless you have an absolute distaste for aniseed, it's actually quite tasty, as well as being novel. Taste 3.5/5
I wouldn't actually recommend it as a candy for kids however, as most of the ones I know don't like aniseed, nor do I think that it will encourage positive relationships with other children. Maturity M15+
Despite this, the candy's unusual taste and name can, if taken in good humor, make it a very novel talking point at parties. Novelty 4.5/5
The candies cost around AU$10/kilo which seems slightly cheaper than average pricing. Cost 3/5
Overall 4 An unusual and tasty treat, slightly marred by an unfortunate choice of name.
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stranger_candys- Strangers with Candy
Comments
In Balkan medioca states, Chimney sweeps still wear a traditional all black uniform with small black cap. It is considered good luck to rub one of your buttons if you pass one in the street.
Plese note as in Balkan afro american population is not present, name for black candy with white chimney sweeper image in black dress is not related to any group or nation.
However, it was one of the few candies that mark childhood of those that use to be Yugoslavs
http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negro
The figure on the bag/wrappers is not a "bargeman" but a chimney sweep, dressed in the traditional clothing of chimney sweeps, which was black to hide the soot stains.
So when you put it together:
black licorice +
good for your throat (clears throat like a chimney sweep cleans the chimney) +
both are traditionally black
= negro candies.
Nothing scandalous. Kind witty, actually.
And like another commenter said, the number of African-descent people in south/central Europe is negligible. I can't imagine why a large company would go out of their way to offend them when a very tiny number of them would ever come in contact with the product anyway.
It's sad that people are offended by this wonderful candy when their ignorance is the only offensive factor here.