Since someone I know absolutely loves these small, toxically sweet, warningly red, plasticy balls of modified fruit, I felt compelled to note that Majikthise has posted notes on how they are made. Although I would make sure anything soaked in sulphur dioxide and calcium chloride as part of the standard processing gets a "For External Use Only" warning label, it's probably the addition of rats that will bother most everyone else:
One of my mom's best friends worked in a Maraschino cherry plant in British Columbia. The bleached cherries were shipped from Europe in their brine. Arguably the worst job in the factory was skimming off the drowned rats on arrival. The rats had to come out before the sugar reinfusion could begin.
I am reminded of tales of the things found floating at the top of non-German beer vats, from garbage to insects to rodents. Perhaps that's part of the appeal, however; my father has told me that the Philippine San Miguel beer acquires its distinctive flavour from the algae that grows on top and along the sides while it brews.
Bon appetit!

Learning something new every day
Perhaps the rats aid the de-pitting process?