Companies that sell illegal copycat snacks laced with drugs

FSeveral companies have received warnings from federal authorities for illegally selling food products containing a potentially dangerous drug in packaging reminiscent of popular national brands, loved by children and adults.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued warning letters to Hippie humor, Earth Hemp, Shamrockshrooms. with, Mary Jane’s Bakery Co.It is CBD Life Leaf Medical Centeraccording to a press release published by the FDA on Tuesday. Separately, the FDA issued a warning letter to another company, GrowGod LLC, for also introducing food products containing delta-8 THC into the market, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The warning letters are part of the FDA and FTC’s joint initiative to crack down on companies that sell illegal copycat food products containing delta-8 THC.

Delta-8 THC is a cannabis compound. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient this is in marijuana – it produces the “high” associated with smoking or ingesting marijuana. Because delta-8 THC is not found in significant quantities in the cannabis plant, concentrated amounts of it are generally manufactured from CBD, according to the FDA. The FDA said in its press release that it is concerned that there may be impurities or variations in the compounding process, which could lead to products that could be harmful or have unpredictable effects on the people who consume them.

“Inappropriate or confusing labeling can cause unsuspecting children or adults to consume products that bear a strong resemblance to popular snacks and candies that contain delta-8 THC without realizing it,” FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Namandjé Bumpus said in the statement. the press. “As accidental ingestion and/or excessive consumption of products containing delta-8 THC can pose considerable health risks, companies selling these illegal products are demonstrating complete disregard for consumer safety.”

The FDA said packaging that includes brand names, logos or images similar to popular snack brands can make delta-8 THC products “nearly indistinguishable from many popular snack foods,” which can be confusing to the public. The FDA said these copycat food products containing delta-8 THC are especially concerning because they are easy to purchase and often available to young people.

Previously, the FDA had warned the public about the risk of children accidentally consuming food products containing delta-8 THC. Between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023, the agency received more than 300 reports of children and adults who ate delta-8 THC products and experienced adverse reactions such as hallucinations, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness, according to a news release. Nearly half of these 300 reports involved hospitalization or emergency room visits, and about two-thirds of the reports occurred after the individual ate food products, such as candy or brownies, that contained delta-8 THC.

In July 2023, the FDA and FTC warned six companies for selling edible food products that contained delta-8 THC but were packaged in a way that “could easily be confused with foods sold by popular national brands,” the FDA said. All six companies no longer have these products in stock.

“Companies that market and sell THC edibles that are easily confused with chips and candy are not only acting illegally, but also putting the health of young children at risk,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. . in the press release. “Those who prioritize profits over children’s safety are at serious risk of legal action.”

The FDA said it requested written responses from the companies within 15 business days. Responses must include how companies will address breaches and prevent them from happening again. The FDA said that if companies do not “promptly address violations,” authorities could take legal action, such as seizing the products.

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