Haribo is withdrawing Happy Cola due to cannabis contamination.
The Dutch confectionery giant, Haribo, has initiated an urgent recall of its "Happy Cola F!ZZ" fruit gums in the Netherlands, following the discovery of traces of cannabis in several packets. The recall comes after reports of health issues, including dizziness, among consumers, including children.
According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), only three packets tested positive for cannabis, prompting a full recall as a precautionary measure. The affected products feature a production code of L341-4002307906 and have a best before date of January 2026.
The NVWA has warned consumers not to consume the recalled sweets, as an investigation is underway to determine how the cannabis ended up in the gums. The Dutch police and NVWA are currently investigating the incident, with Haribo cooperating closely to prioritize consumer safety.
"The safety of our consumers is our top priority," said Marketing Vice President Patrick Tax of Haribo. He noted that the contamination affected a limited number of cases. Haribo is collaborating closely with the police to investigate the source of the contamination.
"Happy Cola" products, with their small cola-flavored bottles, are a classic in the Haribo range and have been available for consumption for decades.
The investigation is ongoing, with both Haribo and Dutch authorities working to identify the cause and source of contamination. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
- Haribo, in collaboration with Dutch authorities, is currently investigating an employment policy to strengthen its quality control measures in response to the recent contamination incident, aiming to prevent such incidents in the future.
- In light of this incident, the Dutch government is considering updating its community policy on food safety, emphasizing stricter regulations for food and beverage manufacturers to ensure health and wellness for all consumers, particularly children.
- As part of a proactive approach to maintaining high standards, Haribo is planning to introduce vocational training programs focused on food safety and quality control in its vocational training initiatives, ensuring a competent workforce committed to ensuring the best health-and-wellness practices in food-and-drink production.
