The Dutch food safety authority (NVWA) has issued a full recall of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in 1kg bags, after several people reported feeling dizzy and unwell.
The incident came to light when a couple from Twente brought the sweets to their local police station. Their children had felt “quite sick” after eating the candy. Tests later confirmed the presence of cannabis in the sweets.
Police and Haribo confirmed the sweets were genuine products, not fake or lookalikes.
So What? Insights
This is a major safety concern, especially since Haribo sweets are widely popular with children. Cannabis has no place in regular packaged candy, and this case raises serious questions about how the contamination happened.
Authorities and Haribo have launched a full investigation. Police are also exploring whether this could be linked to a broader trend of drug smugglers using candy as a cover, a method already seen with fake THC-laced gummies.
Haribo has stated this is a limited case in the eastern Netherlands and is offering full refunds on the affected packs. Their message: “Do not eat these sweets.”
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Key Implications
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Food safety and child protection are at risk.
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Even trusted global brands can be exposed to supply chain breaches or tampering.
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This raises concerns about how cannabis got into a sealed Haribo product—was it sabotage, contamination, or criminal activity?
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Parents and retailers must now be extra cautious when handling sweets, especially in bulk packaging.
Practical Takeaways
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If you are in the Netherlands and have 1kg Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ bags with a use-by date of January 2026, do not consume them.
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Return the affected pack to the store for a full refund.
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Keep an eye on official recalls from the NVWA and Haribo for updates.
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Always report unusual food reactions especially involving children to the police or local health authority.
Final Thoughts
This case is a rare but serious warning about the importance of product security in our food systems. Haribo is cooperating fully, but questions remain: How did cannabis end up in kids’ sweets? Until we get answers, caution is key.
Let’s hope this recall leads to better protections, smarter tracking, and fewer risks—especially when it comes to products trusted by families.
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