Hershey on KitKat bar with needle: ‘Product tampering is a serious issue’

The Local sheriff’s office claimed on Facebook the tampered product was collected in the Warsaw area, yet it was unclear how the needle ended up in the chocolate.

“It’s a sick demented individual who would do such an act. Parents, check your children’s candy,”​ posted the sheriff on November 2, encouraging people with any information to call their office.

The incident occurred around the same time when parents in Massachusetts also reportedly found needles in two packages of Twizzlers, according to ABC News​​.

They further claimed there were not any puncture holes on the licorice candies’ packaging.

Hershey’s response

Hershey, which manufactures both Twizzlers and KitKat in the US, noted the product tampering happened after the products left its control, according to spokesperson Jeff Beckman.

He said most of these cases are investigated by local law enforcement, but the company will help when it receives the problematic products from the consumer.

“Unfortunately, product tampering is a serious issue this time of year, which is why it is so important for parents to vigilant and examine their children’s candy,”​ said Beckman, adding that quality and safety are Hershey’s top priorities.

“We manufacture our products with the highest food safety and quality standards in the industry. This includes a strict quality and safety program that utilizes metal detectors, visual inspections and a variety of other techniques to ensure our products are safe to consume when they leave our facilities,”​ he said.