As families prepare for Halloween, authorities are reminding parents to inspect their children's trick-or-treating hauls amid concerns about illicit drugs that can resemble candy.
The warning comes after police in New Jersey seized tablets in September that were being marketed as ecstasy but tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to a New Jersey State Police report obtained by ABC News, some of the tablets were pressed into the shapes of cartoon characters or stamped with popular insignias, while others were dyed bright colors to resemble candy or vitamins.
Police warned that the appearance of the drugs could make it difficult for children and parents to distinguish them from harmless treats.
While the September seizure was not linked to Halloween or reports of drugs being distributed to trick-or-treaters, authorities urged families to remain vigilant.
"With Halloween approaching, the presence of illicit drugs designed to resemble candy or vitamins creates a heightened concern for accidental exposure," police said in the report.
How parents can keep kids safe this Halloween
Before children dig into their candy, parents should take a few minutes to look through their Halloween haul.
Authorities recommend checking for misspelled brand names, unbranded packaging and anything that appears unusual or unwrapped.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also recommends parents inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, including tears, holes or other damage to the packaging.
Here are a few additional precautions families can take:
- Check candy before kids eat it. Encourage children to wait until they get home before opening their treats so an adult can inspect them first.
- Look closely at unfamiliar items. Be cautious of loose tablets, powders or brightly colored substances that don't resemble typical Halloween treats.
- Talk to children about candy safety. Remind kids not to eat anything they find on the ground or receive from an unfamiliar source without checking with a parent or trusted adult.
- Watch for choking hazards. Hard candies, gum and other small treats can pose a choking risk for younger children.
What to do if you find suspicious candy
If parents discover an unfamiliar tablet, powder or other suspicious substance in their child's Halloween bag, they should keep it away from children and avoid tasting or unnecessarily handling it.
Parents who suspect an item contains illegal drugs can contact local law enforcement.
If a child may have swallowed an unknown substance, parents should immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if the child is unconscious, having difficulty breathing or experiencing a seizure.
Although cases of Halloween candy tampering are rare, officials say inspecting treats and talking to children about potential dangers can help families celebrate safely.
