Haribo recalls sweets in Netherlands after 'cannabis' found in cola bottles

Haribo has recalled packets of sweets in the Netherlands which contained cannabis, causing a number of people to fall ill.

The confectionery giant issued a warning over its kilogram bags of HARIBO Happy Cola F!ZZ which led to several people, children and adults, becoming ill after eating the cola bottles.

An investigation into the sweets has been launched by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) alongside Haribo and police.

Haribo confirmed the recall notice is contained to the Netherlands, to a specific product and batch, and their products in the UK are not affected.

The health authority say it concerns three bags so far, with a batch code of L341-4002307906 and a best before date of January 2026.

They say it is unclear how the cannabis ended up in the sweets but that an investigation is ongoing.

A spokesperson for the NVWA said: “Cannabis was found in the cola bottles in question. The police reported this to the NVWA after several people, both children and adults, became ill after eating the cola bottles.

“An investigation was started together with the police. The sample that the NVWA took from these bottles indeed turned out to be positive.

“How the cannabis ended up in the sweets is still unknown.

“The police are conducting further investigation into this.

“After consultation with the NVWA and as is customary in these types of situations, Haribo has issued a safety warning.

“This is with a view to safeguarding food safety, which the NVWA monitors closely.”

A statement from Haribo said: “The incident is contained to the Netherlands, to a specific product and batch. HARIBO products in the UK and other markets are not affected.

“The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and HARIBO takes this incident very seriously, which is why a recall has been issued in the Netherlands.

“HARIBO is working closely with the authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts around the contamination.”