Check out the world's biggest licorice allsort - at the RJ's factory in Levin

The licorice allsort is the biggest in the world. Photo / Horowhenua Chronicle

New Zealand has set a Guinness World Record for the largest licorice allsort with a lime green, black and white monster of a sweet.

Celebrating their 21st birthday, Levin-based company RJ's Licorice this morning achieved the record.

More than 1000 people crowded the factory in Levin to help eat the XXL lolly that weighed just over one ton.

Not counting the actual licorice, (the black strips) the world record allsort comprised around 75kg sugar, 624kg of icing sugar/cornflour, 27kg of desiccated coconut and 156 litres of glucose syrup.

The ratios were the same as a standard licorice allsort.

This week RJ's Licorice sales manager Amy Law said although it was the first time a world record had been attempted, there were no guarantees.

"The Guinness Book of World Records rules are quite specific. We have to tell them exactly what the dimensions are going to be and we have to achieve those dimensions. If we don't, we won't get the record."

She had estimated the dimensions at about 800mm square.

"The giant allsort will act as our birthday cake. The rules require the product is used, so it has to be eaten."

Otaki MP Nathan Guy was hgiven the honour of cutting up the licorice and handing it out to the crowds of screaming children.

Law said any leftover allsort would be given to The Salvation Army to distribute within the community.

"The really important thing is that the allsort gets eaten, we don't want to throw any away."

There would be two witnesses at all times to ensure everything was "above board" and all the ingredients recorded.