Underage consumption of cannabis candies escalates in the Netherlands; Haribo removes affected product from shelves.
Haribo withdraws "Happy Cola" sweets from Dutch stores following marijuana contamination and illnesses
On Thursday (29), German confectionery giant Haribo pulled its "Happy Cola" candies from Dutch stores after cannabis was detected in at least three packs of the product, leading several individuals, including children, to fall ill.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has confirmed the presence of cannabis in the candies, labeling them as potentially hazardous due to their ability to induce symptoms such as dizziness upon consumption. A full recall was initiated as a precautionary measure, with NVWA spokesperson Saida Ahyad stating that the agency is investigating the matter thoroughly.
According to Ahyad, the police alerted the NVWA to the situation after multiple individuals reported falling ill following the consumption of these candies. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine how the cannabis found its way into the candy bags.
Haribo, though contacted by AFP, has yet to respond to the matter. The Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has advised consumers to avoid consuming any remaining Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ candies with specific production codes and best before dates of January 2026.
It remains unclear at this time how the marijuana found its way into Haribo's "Happy Cola" sweets in the Netherlands. The investigation is ongoing, with both Dutch authorities and Haribo working to shed light on this unexpected incident.
[1] Dutch authorities launch investigation into Haribo contamination incident[2] Haribo issues safety alert following marijuana-tainted candies incident[4] Forensic analysis confirms presence of cannabis in impacted Haribo products
- This unexpected incident involving marijuana-tainted Haribo candies has sparked a health-and-wellness concern, especially for children, highlighting the importance of general-news reporting on food-and-drink safety.
- The investigation into the contamination of Haribo's "Happy Cola" sweets is expanding beyond the food-and-drink industry, delving into crime-and-justice aspects as authorities seek to identify the source of the marijuana contamination.
- Amidst the ongoing investigation, the lifestyle impact of this contamination incident extends beyond the Dutch borders, raising questions about the security measures in place for the production and distribution of food-and-drink products on a global scale.
