Haribo candy, mystery, it wasn't cannabis

Contrary to initial speculation, the substance that poisoned children who ate Haribo candies was not cannabis. But what was it? The mystery remains.

At the end of May 2025, the Netherlands Food Safety Agency (NVWA) issued an alert for the suspected presence of drugs in Haribo cola-flavoured candies. Several children experienced illnesses, including one that led to a coma! Belgium also followed suit with a recall of the suspected bags. The Belgian Food Safety Agency, the FASFC, reported that bags "containing candies that can cause health problems, such as dizziness, are in circulation."

No Traces

A study of samples taken by the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) ruled out the cannabis theory. The NFI also confirmed that Haribo was in no way responsible for the illnesses, as no abnormal substances were found during the analyses. The Dutch police are continuing their investigations to understand what could have caused the illnesses and their origin. Until investigators get to the bottom of this, it's a mystery.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source : la Dernière Heure – Photo : © Haribo)