FDA sends out warning after over 100 adverse events connected to copy-cat foods containing THC

The FDA has received more than 100 adverse event reports related to children and adults who consumed edible products containing THC, including hospitalizations.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about the accidental ingestion of food products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by children. 

The FDA has been made aware that some manufacturers are packaging and labeling edible products containing THC to look like popular brands of commonly consumed foods. These products are packaged to look like Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, Froot Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Nerds Ropes, Starbursts, Sour Patch Kids, and Trix, among others.

These products appeal to children and may be easily mistaken for popular and well-recognized foods, according to the FDA.

There have been multiple media reports describing children and adults who accidentally consumed copycat edible products containing THC and experienced adverse events. 

From January 2021 through April 24, 2022, the FDA received more than 100 adverse event reports. Some individuals who ate these edible products reportedly experienced adverse events such as hallucinations, increased heart rate and vomiting, and many required medical intervention or hospital admission. 

Seven of the reports specifically mention the edible product to be a copycat of popular foods, such as Cocoa Pebbles, Nerds Rope, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, and Starburst.

The FDA is actively working with federal and state partners to further address the concerns related to these products and monitoring the market for adverse events, product complaints and other emerging cannabis-derived products of potential concern.

Consumers should call 9-1-1 or get emergency medical help right away if they or someone in their care has serious side effects from these products. Always keep these products in a safe place out of reach of children.

Consumers should call the poison control center at 800-222-1222 if a child has consumed these products. Do not wait for symptoms to call.

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