Children and adults are falling ill after consuming popular Haribo gummy candies laced with cannabis, forcing an urgent recall of thousands of products across the Netherlands.
Key Takeaways
- Haribo has recalled 8,000 bags of Happy Cola F!ZZ gummies in the Netherlands after testing confirmed cannabis contamination.
- Multiple consumers, including children, reported dizziness and feeling unwell after eating the contaminated candy.
- The recall applies only to specific batches with a January 2026 expiration date distributed in the Netherlands.
- Dutch authorities and police have launched an investigation to determine the source of the contamination.
- Customers are advised to return affected products for a refund rather than consuming them.
Cannabis Discovered in Popular Children’s Candy
German candy manufacturer Haribo has issued an urgent recall of its Happy Cola F!ZZ gummy candies in the Netherlands following confirmation that products were contaminated with cannabis. The contamination was discovered after multiple consumers reported adverse effects including dizziness after consuming the popular cola-flavored gummies. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) subsequently tested samples and confirmed the presence of the controlled substance in the candy products widely consumed by both children and adults.
“Samples were taken and cannabis was found in them,” confirmed the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
The recall affects approximately 8,000 bags of the Happy Cola F!ZZ product with a best-before date of January 2026. Dutch authorities have emphasized that consumers should not eat the affected products under any circumstances. At least three packs have been confirmed as containing cannabis, though the total number of contaminated products and affected consumers remains unknown. The investigation is ongoing, with both Haribo and law enforcement working to determine how the contamination occurred.
Swift Response to Protect Consumer Safety
Haribo has taken immediate action to address the contamination, emphasizing that the issue is confined to specific batches distributed only in the Netherlands. The company has advised customers who purchased the affected product to return it to the manufacturer for a full refund. This rapid response demonstrates the company’s commitment to consumer safety amidst what could develop into a significant product safety scandal involving a beloved candy brand known worldwide for its gummy products.
“The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and Haribo takes this incident very seriously, which is why a recall has been issued in the Netherlands,” stated Haribo.
A Haribo spokesperson described the situation as a “live issue” and assured the public that the company is working diligently to “establish the facts around the contamination.” The company has emphasized that no other Haribo products have been found to contain cannabis or other contaminants. This is not the first quality control issue for Haribo, which recalled Tangfastics products in Canada last year due to wood contamination, though the current cannabis contamination represents a more serious safety concern.
Criminal Investigation Underway
The presence of cannabis in a product primarily marketed to families with children raises serious questions about how the contamination occurred. Dutch police have joined the investigation to determine whether the contamination was accidental or if it might represent a deliberate act of product tampering. The NVWA has issued a clear directive to consumers, stating: “Do not eat the sweets.” The discovery of a controlled substance in commercially produced candy creates significant liability concerns and potential criminal implications depending on the source of contamination.
“Do not eat the sweets,” warned the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about product safety and quality control in international food supply chains. While the Netherlands has relatively permissive cannabis laws compared to many countries, the unauthorized inclusion of cannabis in food products, particularly those consumed by children, remains strictly prohibited. Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the contamination while Haribo works to maintain consumer trust during this challenging quality control crisis.
