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No fewer than 400 people were on Wednesday affected after taking a sweet containing methamphetamine, distributed by AA charity in Auckland.
Following the move, New Zealand police have launched a probe into the sweets.
New Zealand police on Wednesday announced that they were investigating the sweets containing potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine distributed by Auckland City Mission.
The sweets, donated anonymously in sealed retail packaging, were included in food parcels handed out by the charity. Up to 400 people may have received these contaminated sweets.
The charity alerted authorities after a recipient reported the sweets tasted unusual.
Testing confirmed high levels of methamphetamine in the sweets, with about 3g of the drug found in each candy.
Methamphetamine can cause severe health issues, including seizures and death.
At least three people, including a child, sought medical attention, though none is currently hospitalised, according to the police report.
Police have asked anyone with sweets wrapped in Rinda’s yellow pineapple flavour packaging to come forward.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin described the situation as “deeply concerning” and noted that the investigation might involve Interpol.
Rinda, a Malaysian confectioner, said it did not use or condone illegal drugs in its products and pledged to cooperate with the investigation.
The company noted that the contaminated candy seen in photos was white, whereas Rinda’s product is yellow.
Authorities are still assessing the extent of the distribution, with 16 packets recovered so far.
The charity has reached out to up to 400 people and is contacting other charities as a precaution.
Helen Robinson, chief executive of Auckland City Mission, expressed deep distress over the incident, highlighting the vulnerability of those facing food insecurity.
