In brief
Haribo has recalled specific bags of its Happy Cola F!ZZ candy in the Netherlands following contamination with cannabis that led to several individuals, including children, falling ill.
In a precautionary move, Haribo announced on Thursday the recall of its cola-flavored sweets after the Dutch food and consumer product safety authority confirmed the presence of cannabis in three bags of candy. The authority warned that consumption of the contaminated candies could lead to health issues, including dizziness, and advised against eating them.The contaminated candy was consumed by a family from the Twente region, prompting police to report that the incident had particularly affected young children. Saïda Ahyad, a spokeswoman for the food safety authority, stated that investigations are ongoing to determine how the cannabis entered the candy. The extent of consumption among the public remains uncertain, as police have withheld additional information for now.Founded in Germany in 1920, Haribo is largely recognized for its gummy bears and distributes a variety of gummy sweets across more than 120 countries. While only three bags have tested positive for cannabis, the company is recalling the entire batch as a safety measure. The recall specifically targets 1-kilogram bags sold in the Netherlands that are marked with a best-before date of January 2026. Haribo has instructed customers who purchased these products to return them via mail for a refund, clarifying that other candy lines remain safe.Haribo expressed its seriousness regarding the situation, announcing cooperation with Dutch authorities to further investigate the contamination. The challenge of detecting cannabis in food products continues to be a concern, especially as some marijuana edibles can closely resemble well-known candy brands, raising the risk of accidental consumption.This incident follows a concerning trend, as evidenced by previous cases in the Netherlands, where children were hospitalized after inadvertently consuming cannabis-infused candies. In August 2023, the police reported that six children aged 4 to 15 were hospitalized after ingesting THC-laden sweets discovered in their homes.
