Haribo initiated a product withdrawal for Happy Cola due to reports of cannabis contamination.
In the Netherlands, popular candy manufacturer Haribo has issued an urgent recall for its "Happy Cola F!ZZ" sweets following the discovery of traces of cannabis in several bags. According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), this contamination has led to health issues in several people, including children.
To be specific, the recall involves 1kg (1000g) bags of "Happy Cola F!ZZ" with the production code L341-4002307906 and a best before date of January 2026. The NVWA has warned against consuming these sweets, citing potential health complaints such as dizziness.
The discovery of cannabis was initially made by a family in Twente, Netherlands, who became quite ill after consuming the sweets. This prompted a police investigation, and subsequent forensic analysis confirmed the presence of cannabis. Following this revelation, the NVWA was alerted.
Although only three affected bags have been identified so far, a full recall has been ordered as a precautionary measure. The NVWA has explained that there is a possibility that additional packets of the sweets could cause similar health issues. Police are now investigating how the cannabis contamination occurred.
Haribo, a company that prides itself on consumer safety, has expressed concerns about the situation. In a statement, their vice-president of marketing emphasized that they are collaborating closely with authorities to investigate the incident. The NVWA, too, has advised the public to avoid the affected sweets.
The incident marks a concerning turn of events for the beloved "Happy Cola" product, which has been a staple in the Haribo range for decades. The small cola bottles have been available for consumption for many years. As of now, the recall is limited to the specific batch and product in the Netherlands, with authorities continuing their investigation to determine the source and extent of the contamination.
Sources: ntv.de, mpe/AFP
- Haribo, in coordination with the NVWA, is modifying its community policy to include vocational training for its employees in quality control to prevent such incidents in the future, especially in the production of products linked to medical-conditions like food-and-drink.
- As a responsible entity, Haribo is encouraging its consumers to prioritize health-and-wellness by advocating a lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition, and avoids consuming suspect products like the recalled "Happy Cola F!ZZ" sweets.
- In light of this contamination incident, several community and employment policy reforms are being considered by the Dutch government, focusing on science and technology advancements in food-and-drink production to ensure safety and maintain consumer trust.
