A Wisconsin pizzeria has apologized after customers were urged to throw out pizzas purchased from them due to contamination with THC, the main psychoactive substance in cannabis.
The contaminated food, from Famous Yeti's Pizza in Stoughton, is thought to have been served this week between Monday, October 21 and Thursday, October 24, Public Health Madison & Dane County reported.
"We want to be sure anyone who has this pizza on hand throws it away so they don't get sick," Bonnie Armstrong, director of environmental health at the department, said in a statement. "If you ate the pizza and are experiencing THC-related symptoms, please contact your health care provider or call 911 if your symptoms worsen."
According to the health service, THC-related symptoms include the following:
- Dizziness
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Short term memory impacts
- Time distortion
- Sleepiness
"Keep in mind each person's reaction may be different and the concentration of THC in the pizza can vary by piece," the health service said.
"The incident resulted from the incorrect oil being mistakenly used from a cooperative commercial kitchen to prepare a batch of dough," Caitlin and Cale Ryan from Famous Yeti's Pizza told Newsweek. "Between 10/22 to 10/24, 60 contaminated pizzas were unknowingly served."
They added: "The commercial kitchen supports multiple small food entrepreneurs, including a business that creates products containing Delta9 [a form of THC].
"We are grateful for the support of our community as we navigate how to support individuals affected by the contamination."
Public Health Madison & Dane County was alerted to the contamination by Stoughton Emergency Medical Services late on Thursday afternoon after the medical service transported multiple people with similar symptoms after eating the pizza.
The health department said that sanitarians were currently investigating the space in conjunction with Stoughton Police and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Famous Yeti's Pizza commented on the incident in a Facebook post on Thursday evening. "It is with deep regret that we inform you of a potential contamination involving pizza sold between Tuesday, October 22nd, 4:30 PM and Thursday, October 24th, 12:00 PM," they posted.
"After receiving reports from staff, Yeti's owner and employees of unexplained physical reactions, we underwent an investigation with the Stoughton Police and the local health officials. Today it was confirmed that pizza had been sold with dough mistakenly prepared with Delta9 contaminated oil. The oil accidentally used in the product originated from a shared storage space in the on-site cooperative commercial kitchen.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or harm caused."
As of 2024, 24 U.S. states, two territories (Guam and North Mariana Islands) and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, in Wisconsin it is only approved for medicinal purposes.
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