US authorities issue Halloween candy safety warnings
Authorities are advising parents to inspect trick-or-treating hauls due to concerns regarding illicit drugs that resemble candy or vitamins. This warning follows a September incident in New Jersey where police seized tablets marketed as ecstasy that tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to a New Jersey State Police report, some seized tablets were pressed into shapes of cartoon characters, stamped with popular insignias, or dyed bright colors. While the September seizure was not directly linked to Halloween distribution, police noted that the appearance of such drugs increases the risk of accidental exposure.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and law enforcement recommend that parents check for misspelled brand names, unbranded packaging, or signs of tampering such as tears and holes. Experts suggest children wait until they return home to open treats so adults can perform a safety inspection.
Entities
New Jersey · New Jersey State Police · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The FDA recommends inspecting commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering like tears or holes. abc7ny.com · 6abc.com · abc7news.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Some seized tablets were shaped like cartoon characters or stamped with popular insignias. abc7ny.com · 6abc.com · abc7news.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] New Jersey police seized tablets in September that tested positive for methamphetamine. abc7ny.com · 6abc.com · abc7news.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The September drug seizure was not linked to Halloween or reports of drugs being distributed to trick-or-treaters. abc7ny.com · 6abc.com · abc7news.com