**Haribo Issues Recall in the Netherlands After Cannabis Discovered in Sweets**
*Concerns have been raised in the Netherlands after confectionery giant Haribo recalled a batch of its well-known Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets. The move follows reports from several consumers, including members of one family, who experienced adverse effects after eating the sweets. Laboratory tests then confirmed that the affected products were contaminated with traces of cannabis.*
The recall specifically involves the 1kg bags of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ, which were distributed and available for purchase in the Netherlands. The discovery came to light after multiple individuals reported feeling unwell—describing symptoms such as dizziness shortly after consumption. Dutch food safety authorities swiftly became involved and, following analysis, confirmed the presence of cannabis in sweets sampled from three separate packets.
A spokesperson for the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) commented: “Consumers have reported incidents of dizziness after consuming the product. Tests have established that cannabis was present in the affected packs.” Following these findings, Haribo was promptly notified and took decisive action by issuing a public safety alert and launching a recall.
Although only three packets were definitively linked to the contamination, Haribo has recalled all potentially impacted stock as a precautionary measure. The recalled items are identified by the production code **L341-4002307906** and include all 1kg bags of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ with a best-before date of **January 2026**. The precise number of contaminated bags circulating remains unclear.
In their advisory, NVWA emphasised the importance of consumer safety: “Bags of HARIBO Happy Cola F!ZZ with the aforementioned best-before date may cause health complaints such as dizziness. While only a few packs have been confirmed as problematic, Haribo is undertaking a precautionary recall. Customers are strongly advised not to consume these sweets.” Instead, those in possession of affected products are instructed to send them directly to Haribo for a full refund, rather than returning them to retail outlets.
The company has also reassured customers that this situation is limited in scope. Other production runs of Happy Cola F!ZZ and Haribo’s remaining product range have been confirmed as unaffected. There is currently no evidence to suggest that Haribo products sold in the UK or any other countries outside the Netherlands are implicated in this recall.
In a written statement, Haribo stressed that consumer safety remains their paramount concern: “This issue is isolated to a specific batch in the Netherlands. We are closely cooperating with both authorities and law enforcement to uncover the facts surrounding this contamination. We urge anyone who has purchased these products in the Netherlands to refer to the recall information and follow the advice provided.”
Meanwhile, questions remain regarding the origin of the contamination. The NVWA has acknowledged that it is unknown whether the problem arises from authentic Haribo products or potential counterfeit goods, leaving room for further investigation. Both Haribo and the Dutch authorities have vowed to leave no stone unturned as they conduct a thorough enquiry into the source of the contaminated sweets.
As of now, no similar incidents have been reported outside the Netherlands, and customers in the UK are reassured that their Haribo products remain unaffected by this recall. The case highlights the vital importance of swift action and transparency when consumer goods are potentially compromised, especially items intended for children and families.
It is expected that Haribo will release additional updates as investigations continue. In the meantime, consumers are advised to check labels carefully and heed official recall information to ensure their safety.