Haribo has initiated a recall of its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands following reports of consumers experiencing adverse symptoms. Tests confirmed the presence of cannabis traces in some 1kg bags of the product.
The Dutch food safety authority, Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA), verified contamination in at least three bags. According to a spokesperson, consumers reported dizziness and other health issues, prompting sample tests that detected cannabis contamination.
Haribo is collaborating with Dutch police to investigate how cannabis entered the products. A company representative remarked, "How the cannabis ended up in the sweets is still unknown. The police are actively investigating." Authorities confirmed the affected items were authentic Haribo products.
As a precaution, Haribo has recalled all available stock of the affected Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands. The products in question carry a best-before date of January 2026. The NVWA has strongly advised consumers to avoid consuming these sweets due to potential health risks, including dizziness.
It is currently undetermined whether the contamination resulted from genuine product tampering or counterfeit packaging. Haribo stated the recall is exclusive to the Netherlands and assured that other Haribo products remain safe. "Consumer safety is our highest priority," a spokesperson emphasized, describing the incident as being handled with utmost seriousness.
Haribo, founded in 1920 by Hans Riegel in Bonn, Germany, is renowned globally for its gummy candies, notably the Goldbears. The company ranks among the world's leading confectionery manufacturers.
