Halloween candy is under investigation in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, after RCMP received three reports of small metal objects found inside treat-sized Coffee Crisp bars collected during trick-or-treating on Saturday night.
Police are working to determine where the affected treats were collected and whether the reports are connected.
The reports involve small metal items found inside the chocolate bars, according to police information released Sunday.
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Halloween Candy: What police are asking families to do
RCMP are advising parents, guardians and other trusted adults to inspect Halloween treats carefully before children eat them.
That inspection should include checking wrappers for tears, holes, unusual openings or other signs that packaging may have been altered.
Families should also look for possible manufacturing defects and confirm that each item is a recognizable commercial product with packaging that appears intact.
Any candy that looks suspicious should be set aside rather than eaten.
Police are asking anyone who finds a similar treat to contact the Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP detachment at 709-896-3383 or call 1-800-709-RCMP (7267).
Investigation remains underway
RCMP have not said whether the metal objects were the result of deliberate tampering, a manufacturing problem or another source.
The investigation is focused in part on identifying where the affected Coffee Crisp bars were distributed.
People who discover a suspicious item should preserve the candy, wrapper and any foreign material if it can be done safely, and avoid handling it unnecessarily.
That evidence may help investigators compare the packaging and objects involved in the separate reports.
How to check Halloween treats
Inspect every wrapper for damage, punctures, openings or signs of resealing.
Do not allow children to eat treats that appear altered or that are not from a recognizable commercial brand.
Separate suspicious items from the rest of the candy and keep the packaging.
Contact police if a treat contains a foreign object or appears to have been tampered with.
Call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance.
The warning follows Halloween night in the Labrador community and applies to treats collected during the local trick-or-treating period.
RCMP have not announced a broader product recall or identified a specific retailer connected to the reports.
More information is expected as police work to trace the candy and assess the metal objects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Halloween candy in Happy Valley-Goose Bay?
RCMP received three reports of small metal objects found inside treat-sized Coffee Crisp bars collected during trick-or-treating on Saturday night.
Has RCMP confirmed that the candy was deliberately tampered with?
No. Police are investigating and have not determined whether the objects resulted from intentional tampering, a manufacturing defect or another cause.
What should parents check for in Halloween candy?
Adults should inspect wrappers for tears, holes, resealing or other damage and confirm that treats are recognizable commercial products with intact packaging.
What should someone do with suspicious candy?
Set it aside, avoid eating it, preserve the candy and wrapper if possible, and contact local police.
How can people contact the Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP?
People can call the detachment at 709-896-3383 or the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP non-emergency line at 1-800-709-RCMP (7267).
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against current RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador contact information and multiple reports describing the police investigation.
Disclaimer: This report describes an ongoing police investigation, and the cause of the metal contamination has not been determined.