Cannabis-infused Haribo Sweets: Dutch Recall Due to Unapproved Content - Dutch cannabis-infused sweets under recall: Haribo withdraws suspicious item from stores
The Netherlands has initiated a product recall of Haribo's "Happy Cola" fruit gums due to traces of cannabis found in some packages. The recall comes after various consumers, including children, reported falling ill following consumption. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) announced the recall on Thursday.
The affected product is the 2.2-pound bag of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ, carrying a "best before" date of January 2026, exclusively distributed in the Netherlands. Despite only three packets confirmed to contain cannabis so far, a full recall has been carried out as a precautionary measure.
The NVWA has warned against consuming these sweets, stating that they could potentially cause health problems such as dizziness. Investigations are ongoing to determine how cannabis entered the product. The NVWA, in collaboration with Dutch police, is actively probing the source of the contamination, and Haribo is cooperating with the authorities to support the investigation.
Haribo has acknowledged the incident as serious, emphasizing the safety of their consumers as their top priority. The company's Marketing Vice President, Patrick Tax, indicated that only a limited number of cases were involved, and they are working diligently to clarify the cause of the contamination. The recall is precautionary and targets the specific batch and product only available in the Netherlands.
The ongoing investigation centers around identifying how and where the cannabis was introduced into the product. This investigation may delve into manufacturing, packaging, or distribution processes, with no clear indication yet whether this was an accident or an intentional act.
- The incident involving Haribo's "Happy Cola" fruit gums, resulting from traces of cannabis found in some packages, has sparked concerns about food safety and health-and-wellness, even as investigations deepen into the source of the contamination.
- As the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and Dutch police oversee the ongoing probe, the science community may find a role in determining how cannabis entered the product, contributing to the general news about the case.
- Meanwhile, the carcinogen-related proposal under consideration by the European Commission serves to emphasize the importance of protecting workers from exposure to harmful substances, reminding many of the broader issues surrounding crime and justice in food and drink industries.
