New Zealand Food Bank Unknowingly Distributes Candy Made From Methamphetamine: Report

A charity in New Zealand that works with homeless people unknowingly distributed sweets containing a potentially lethal dose of methamphetamine in its food parcels. According to The Associated Press, the candies had been donated by a member of the public. Police have initiated a criminal investigation on the matter.

The Auckland city mission is currently trying to track down 400 parcels that may contain dangerous sweets. The sweets are solid blocks of methamphetamine enclosed in candy wrappers. Authorities said that three people were treated in hospitals after consuming the candies. The New Zealand Drug Foundation found that the amount of methamphetamine in each candy was up to 300 times the level someone would usually take, reported The Associated Press. Notably, this amount could be lethal, according to the Drug Foundation, which first tested the candies.

The City Missioner, Helen Robinson, said eight families, including at least one child, had reported consuming the contaminated candies since Tuesday. Helen Robinson also said that the charity’s food bank only accepts donations of commercially produced food in sealed packaging. The City Missioner added that the pineapple candies, stamped with the label of Malaysian brand Rinda, had been donated sometime in the past six weeks.

Meanwhile, Rinda reportedly said in a written statement that its candies “may have been misused” and said that the company would cooperate with authorities. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.