Police investigate reports of metal objects found in Halloween candy

Police departments in several jurisdictions across the United States and Canada are investigating reports of sharp metal objects found inside Halloween candy collected during recent trick-or-treating events.

Investigations in the United States

In Wisconsin, police in Johnson Creek and Columbus are investigating after three families reported finding sharp metal objects in their children's candy. Johnson Creek Police Chief Gary Bleecker stated he believes the two incidents in his community were intentional rather than manufacturer errors. One parent in Johnson Creek reported finding a pinhole in a candy bar and discovered a small piece of metal inside that resembled a thumbtack. A second family in Johnson Creek reported finding a sewing needle wedged in candy.

In Columbus, Police Chief Dennis Weiner reported that a parent found a needle in a piece of candy. Weiner stated, “It appears to be a sewing needle with kind of an oval shaped loop at the top. Doesn’t appear to be anything like commercial or something from a machine, but we are looking into what the origin of it was.”

In Waukegan, Illinois, police are investigating reports of "foreign objects," including metal hairpins and wire, found inside wrapped, unopened candy. The Waukegan Police Department issued a public safety notice advising parents to inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it.

Investigations in Canada

In Ontario, Durham police reported that an Oshawa mother found five sewing needles in five separate pieces of candy, including chocolate and gummies. Toronto police are investigating one report of tampered candy in the Upper Beaches area, while Peel police received a report of a nail found in a sealed candy bar in Mississauga. In Hamilton, a parent reported finding needles in several chocolate bars, including Aero, Kit Kat, and Caramilk.

In Quebec, provincial police are investigating two reports of needles and metal pins found in chocolate in Drummondville and Saint-Marcel. No injuries have been reported in these cases.

In Sherbrooke, the Service de police de Sherbrooke (SPS) is investigating one report of a needle found in a Halloween treat. The police notice did not identify a specific street as the source but noted the collection route included several streets, such as Mailhot and François-Casey.

Why it matters

Law enforcement agencies in both countries have urged parents to be vigilant. Recommended safety measures include:

• Inspecting all candy for irregularities, such as rips, holes, or unusual shapes.
• Squeezing packages to check for air; one parent noted that tampered bars lacked the air typically found in a wrapper.
• Using a magnet to check for metal, though Chief Weiner noted magnets may not catch every danger.
• Discarding any candy that appears suspicious or tampered with.

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Sources

• wmtv15news.com: Police investigate after 3 families find sharp metal objects in Halloween candy
• chicagotribune.com: Waukegan police say Halloween candy should be checked
• publisherpt.substack.com: Sherbrooke police investigate report of needle in Halloween candy
• thestandard.com.hk: Canadian police investigate needles reportedly found in Halloween treats
• lakemchenryscanner.com: 'Foreign objects' reportedly found inside unopened Halloween candy after trick-or-treating in Waukegan
• thestar.com: Police say needles found in Halloween candy across GTA

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.