The Auckland City Mission, a charity in New Zealand that works with low-income individuals, unknowingly distributed candies containing potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine. The organization was alerted to the issue when a person who received a food parcel reported that the candies tasted funny. The white pineapple candies, labeled as the Malaysian brand Rinda, were donated in a sealed, retail-size package by an unidentified member of the public. Testing revealed that each candy contained about 3 grams of methamphetamine, which is up to 300 times the usual amount someone might take. Swallowing such a large quantity of methamphetamine can be extremely dangerous and could potentially result in death. Those who had started consuming the candies reported a bitter taste and feeling unusual. Three individuals who consumed the candies were treated in the hospital and later discharged.
The Auckland City Mission stated that it only accepts commercially manufactured food for inclusion in its food parcels and that the candies appeared to be such when donated. The organization expressed devastation over the incident and has begun contacting all possible recipients to notify them of the issue. The safety of the people they support is their immediate priority, and they will be conducting an internal investigation to determine if their processes can be improved. Rinda, the Malaysian candy manufacturer, stated that they had learned about the contaminated sweets through news reports and will cooperate with the investigation. The company emphasized that they do not use or condone the use of illegal drugs in their products.
Authorities suspect that the contaminated candies were not intentionally donated, as each candy has a street value of 1,000 New Zealand dollars ($608). This suggests that it may have been a smuggling attempt gone wrong. The NZ Drug Foundation warned consumers to avoid Rinda brand pineapple candies until the extent of the contamination is known. The organization urged individuals not to consume any Rinda brand pineapple candies they may have. The NZ Drug Foundation also emphasized that the candies were potentially dangerous due to the high levels of methamphetamine they contained. It is unknown how widespread the issue is, so it is safer to avoid consuming any Rinda brand pineapple candies at this time.
The incident with the contaminated candies has raised concerns about food safety and the potential risks associated with unknowingly consuming products with high levels of methamphetamine. The Auckland City Mission is taking steps to ensure the safety of their recipients in light of this incident and is cooperating with authorities to investigate the matter further. The NZ Drug Foundation is also working to raise awareness about the dangers posed by these candies and is urging the public to avoid consuming them. The situation highlights the importance of thorough testing and inspection of food donations to prevent harmful substances from reaching vulnerable populations.
The charity has expressed its regret over the incident and is committed to improving its processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The safety and well-being of the people they support remain their top priority, and they are taking steps to ensure that all recipients are informed of the issue. The NZ Drug Foundation continues to monitor the situation and provide updates on any developments related to the contaminated candies. Consumers are urged to remain cautious and avoid consuming Rinda brand pineapple candies until more information is available. Authorities are working to determine the source of the contaminated candies and to prevent any further distribution of these harmful products.
