A puzzling incident
The Auckland City Mission, known for its dedication to fighting poverty, is now in the New Zealand media spotlight, but not for its altruistic actions. An alarming incident has put the organization in a compromised situation: they have distributed candies containing a dangerous amount of methamphetamines.
Police investigation underway
The authorities have already launched an investigation to discover the origin of these candies. According to a statement from the police, the sweets, of the Rinda brand with pineapple flavor, could have been included in food packages that the NGO has distributed in recent weeks. The situation has been classified as a priority because of the potential risk they pose to public health.
NGO warnings
The organization has issued an urgent warning through its social media, asking anyone who has received these candies not to consume them. The alert arose after one of the beneficiaries detected a strange taste and decided to contact the NGO to report the situation.
Details on pollution
Sarah Helm, director of the New Zealand Anti-Drug Foundation, has revealed that each tainted candy contained around 3 grams of methamphetamines, an amount significantly above the usual dose considered dangerous. Helm stressed that ingesting such a high amount can be fatal.
The impact on the NGO
Faced with this situation, Auckland City Mission has expressed its deep concern for the consequences of this incident, although they say they were not aware of the contamination of the candies. Helen Robinson, one of the representatives of the NGO, reported that several families, including a minor, had consumed the sweets, but fortunately, no hospitalization was recorded. Robinson stated that the emotional toll on the team is devastating.
Reaction of the production company
Rinda Food Industries, the company responsible for the candies, has denied any involvement in this incident. Its CEO, Steven Teh, stated that the company does not tolerate or authorize the use of illegal substances in its products, and they have offered their full cooperation with the authorities to clarify the facts.
Reflection on food safety
This incident highlights the importance of security in the food supply chain, especially for those organizations working with vulnerable populations. The situation has sparked a debate about the necessary control and surveillance measures to prevent similar cases from happening again in the future.
