Haribo Issues Sweet Recall in Netherlands Over Cannabis Contamination

A family reported symptoms of dizziness after ingesting the candies, prompting an urgent recall by Haribo.

Haribo, the renowned confectionary brand, is issuing a broad recall of its 1kg packs of Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands due to contamination with traces of cannabis. The move comes after multiple individuals, notably a family, expressed concerns over feeling unwell post-consumption. Reports indicate that symptoms included dizziness, which led the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) to launch an immediate investigation.

In a statement, the NVWA confirmed that after samples from the affected bags were analyzed, cannabis was indeed detected. A spokesperson for Haribo acknowledged the situation and mentioned that the company is collaborating with law enforcement to ascertain how the contamination occurred. Although only three specific packs were identified as contaminated, Haribo is vacating its entire stock as a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety.

The affected products carry a best-before date marking January 2026, but the exact number of consumers impacted remains unknown. Dutch authorities advised the public to refrain from consuming these sweets until the matter is resolved. There is ambiguity surrounding whether the tainted candies belong to legitimate Haribo products or counterfeit versions.

Haribo emphasized that consumer safety is of utmost importance, assuring the public that they are treating this incident with the seriousness it deserves. The recall is localized to the Netherlands, and products from other regions remain safe to eat. The confectionery giant continues to monitor the situation closely while engaging in outreach efforts to maintain clarity amidst growing consumer concerns.