On May 30, 2025, Germany-based candy maker Haribo recalled its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were found in three one-kilogram packs, causing health issues like dizziness among consumers, including children.
The Haribo recall in the Netherlands, announced by the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), affects products with production code L341-4002307906 and a best-before date of January 2026, as reported by The Guardian.
The NVWA urged consumers not to eat the sweets, with spokesperson Saida Ahyad stating, “Several people, both children and adults, became ill after eating the cola bottles.” Haribo is offering full refunds for returned packs. The recall followed a police report from a Twente couple whose children fell sick, with forensic analysis confirming cannabis in the cannabis in candy, per Dutch police.
Candy manufacturer Haribo has issued a major recall after cannabis was found in some bags of its candy. The incident took place in the Netherlands, where multiple members of one family became sick after eating Haribo’s Happy Cola F!ZZ candy, according to… https://t.co/O0LRswzIOI pic.twitter.com/etYD1u1jxw
— The Western Journal (@WesternJournalX) May 31, 2025Police spokesperson Chantal Westerhoff said, “We want to know how the marijuana got into the candy and how the bags ended up in stores.” Haribo’s vice president of marketing, Patrick Tax, emphasised cooperation with Dutch authorities, noting, “The safety of our consumers is our highest priority.” The Netherlands’ food safety issue is under active investigation to trace the source of contamination.
This incident echoes a 2023 case in The Hague, where six children consumed THC-laced candy. Dutch police warn that drug smugglers increasingly use sweets to conceal narcotics, posing risks to Haribo cannabis contamination incidents. The recurrence highlights challenges in ensuring food safety amid illicit activities.
The Haribo recall in the Netherlands raises concerns about consumer safety and supply chain integrity, particularly for products aimed at children.
