Authorities have raised concerns about a hidden threat in candy being given to children as Halloween approaches.
As the end of October nears, the spooky season is in full swing.
With many children set to go trick or treating soon, officials have issued a cautionary notice about candy distribution leading up to Halloween.
This warning comes as police investigate a case where sewing needles were discovered in candy handed out to children during an event organized by the Santa Fe Independent School District in Santa Fe, Texas.
The Santa Fe Police Department utilized social media last week to alert the public about the candy, indicating it reached at least three homes after being distributed during a parade for a school homecoming celebration.
In their initial statement, the police department said: “Santa Fe PD has received several calls from concerned parents after today’s Homecoming Parade because of sewing pins found in candy picked up at the parade. The parents were in different areas along the parade route, ranging from Centennial Oaks to Highway 6 and Warpath.
“If anything is found, please contact SFPD at the non-emergency line, 409-925-2000.”
A subsequent statement released on Thursday (October 16) noted: “SFPD Officers went to at least 3 different homes within the community last night and confirmed the presence of the sewing pins in candy given out at the parade last night.
“Dispatch also received calls from other parents in the community advising that they found pins in candy brought home.”
The SFPD has confirmed they are actively investigating the situation and will provide additional details when they become available.
Fortunately, no one was harmed in this dangerous situation, which was initially reported by a parent named Jeremy Partin, according to KHOU 11.
Partin’s 18-year-old daughter found a sewing pin inside a KitKat bar she retrieved from her younger sibling’s candy collection.
The Santa Fe resident told the news outlet: “She’s like, ‘Well, I’m glad I did grab it, because look at this.’ There it is, clear as day—a needle coming right out of the chocolate. This was no accident. They stuck it right in. This was deliberate.”
As Halloween approaches, it’s crucial for parents to be cautious about accepting candy from strangers.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises parents to ‘tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped’.