ROY, Utah — Roy City Police are investigating how drug-laced candy ended up in the food bags of families in need Friday.
In all, five children ate the THC “Medicated Nerds Ropes." An 11-year-old and 5-year-old were sent to the hospital.
On Monday, the father of the 5-year-old told FOX13 News that his daughter has been released from the hospital and is doing well.
Roy Police want to talk to a few more families who received the candy in food distributed from Roy Baptist Church Friday.
It originated from the Utah Food Bank and contained high levels of THC - the compound in marijuana that makes one feel high. While labeled as a “Nerds Rope” candy, Sgt. Matthew Gwynn said it is counterfeit.
“The way it came to the food bank, I believe is an accident. However, the fact that it entered the supply chain in America, I don’t now that that was an accident," Gwynn said.
Farrara, the company that makes Nerds Candy, is working with Roy police to stop the manufacturing of the THC product. It has nearly identical packaging, except THC labeling.
The company wrote in a statement:
”This product is counterfeit and in no way associated with Ferrara Candy Company. We want to reassure consumers that Nerds products donated directly by the company, found at major retailers across the country or purchased through nerdscandy.com, are safe to consume. We have reached out to the local authorities and will continue to cooperate with their investigation.”
“I believe this was legitimately being shipped to somebody but somehow ended up at the Utah Food Bank,” said Sgt Gwynn.
The street value of the candy is at least $3,000, with each candy containing 35 percent more THC than an average marijuana joint.
“Four-hundred milligrams for a child is a lot,” said Sgt. Gwynn.
The Utah Food Bank also released a statement saying how it has responded and will further respond. The statement can be read here.
