Parents expecting a sugar rush might have been caught off guard by an altogether different kind of mellow vibe after a sweet treat turned out to be a bit too happy.
Haribo has issued a recall in the Netherlands after a batch of its popular Happy Cola F!ZZ bottles—normally just fizzy, not funky—was found to contain cannabis. Yes, that kind of cannabis.
The sweets, sold in 1kg bags (clearly meant for serious snackers), were linked to several people—both children and adults—falling ill. Symptoms reportedly ranged from confusion and nausea to the kind of chill you’d expect from a Bob Marley concert, not a party bag.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) confirmed the unexpected ingredient and has launched an investigation alongside Haribo and local police. How the cannabis found its way into the sweets is still unknown—though we’re guessing it wasn’t part of a new product line called “Happy Cola F!ZZ… & Chill.”
Thankfully, the issue is limited to three bags with the batch code L341-4002307906 and a best-before date of January 2026. So unless you’re back from a Dutch holiday with cola bottles and kids who suddenly love reggae, there’s no need to panic.
A spokesperson for Haribo reassured sweet-toothed fans across Europe: “This is contained to a specific batch in the Netherlands. Products in the UK and other markets are not affected.”
In their official statement, Haribo added: “The safety of our consumers is our highest priority.” Understandably so—because while cola bottles are meant to bring a little fizz to your day, they’re not supposed to send you on a trip.
So for now, if your kids are unusually relaxed after tearing into their tuck box, and you’ve just come back from Amsterdam… maybe check the bag. Just in case.
Paisley Photographs 