Candy giant Haribo has issued a product recall in the Netherlands after cannabis was detected in packages of its Happy Cola F!ZZ candy. The recall follows reports of consumers experiencing adverse health effects after eating the contaminated candy.
Multiple people, including several family members, reported feeling unwell after consuming the confections this week. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) confirmed that affected consumers experienced dizziness after eating the products.
The recall specifically targets 1kg packages of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ with a best-before date of January 2026 and production code L341-4002307906. Laboratory analysis conducted by authorities confirmed the presence of cannabis in samples taken from the affected products.
Three contaminated packages have been identified, but Haribo opted to recall all stock from the affected batch as a precautionary measure. The exact size of the contaminated batch has not been disclosed by the company or regulatory authorities.
The NVWA immediately contacted Haribo upon discovering the contamination, prompting the company to issue a safety warning. Authorities advised consumers not to eat the sweets and warned that the contaminated candies could lead to health complaints including dizziness.
Customers who purchased products from the affected batch are instructed to return them directly to Haribo rather than to retail stores. The company has committed to providing full refunds for returned products. Haribo emphasized that customers should not consume any candy from the recalled batch.
The company has confirmed that other production codes of Happy Cola F!ZZ remain safe for consumption. Haribo representatives stated that all other products in their range are unaffected by the contamination issue.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with the NVWA working to determine how the cannabis contamination occurred. Haribo is cooperating with law enforcement agencies to establish the facts surrounding the contamination.
The recall is currently limited to the Netherlands, with no reports of similar contamination in other markets. Haribo stated that the incident is contained to the Netherlands and affects only the specific product and batch identified.
Questions remain about whether the contaminated products are authentic Haribo items or counterfeit goods that entered the supply chain. Company representatives have not definitively confirmed the authenticity of the affected products.
The contamination represents a significant food safety incident for the German confectionery manufacturer, which distributes products worldwide. Haribo said that consumer safety is their highest priority and that they are taking the incident seriously.
The company continues working with Dutch authorities to support the ongoing investigation and determine the source of the contamination. No timeline has been provided for when the investigation might conclude or when the recalled products might return to shelves.
Consumers who experience any adverse effects after consuming Haribo products are advised to seek medical attention and report their symptoms to local health authorities.
