FDA Warns About THC Mimics, Children In Serious Danger
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About a month after a study led by researchers at the NYU School of Global Public Health found that “copycat” edibles can have tetrahydrocannabinol or THC concentrations “far exceeding the limits set by state cannabis regulations” and easily mixed with popular snack foods The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned all consumers about the accidental ingestion of THC-containing foods by children.
“Edibles are a popular and growing segment of the cannabis market. In states where cannabis use is legal, more than half (56%) of people who use cannabis consume edibles, with younger people being more likely to do so,” NYU reported in a recent press release. “These copycat cannabis products pose a public health concern because people — including children — may confuse them with snack foods and inadvertently consume them. From 2017 to 2019, the U.S. Poison Control Center treated nearly 2,000 cases of young children ages 0 to 9 years who consumed edibles.”
Photo by Ryan Quintal via Unsplash
The FDA goes on to explain the issue
The FDA said THC edibles can be easily confused with commonly consumed foods like breakfast cereal, candy, and cookies and accidentally ingested, which can lead to adverse events, especially in children.
The agency also reiterated that some edible products are specifically designed to look like popular branded foods, using similar brand names, logos and packaging designs.
The FDA is aware of reports of copycat products packaged to look like Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, Froot Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Nerds Ropes, Starbursts, Sour Patch Kids, and Trix, among others.
Examples of products
Image: Courtesy of the FDA
From January 2021 to April 2022, the FDA received more than 100 adverse reports from children and adults who consumed THC-infused edibles. Some of these people had adverse events such as hallucinations, increased heart rate, and vomiting, and many had to be hospitalized.
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Seven of the reports specifically mention that the edible product is a copycat of popular foods like Cocoa Pebbles, Nerds Rope, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids and Starburst, the FDA reports.
The FDA warning letter follows six students who were taken to the hospital at a California elementary school on Thursday after eating cannabis-infused Cheetos, Insider reported.
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Photo by Kindel Media via Pexels
What should individuals do in case of side effects?
The agency said it is busy finding the solution to this problem and constantly monitoring the market. It advises consumers to call 911 if anyone experiences serious side effects from these products, keep them out of the reach of children, and call the local poison control center (1-800-222-1222) if a child has consumed these products without waiting for them to occur of symptoms.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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