According to News Week, A Wisconsin pizzeria, Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Stoughton, has issued an apology after customers were advised to dispose of pizzas purchased between October 21 and October 24 due to contamination with THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Health Advisory
Public Health Madison & Dane County alerted the public about the potential health risks associated with consuming the contaminated pizzas. Bonnie Armstrong, the director of environmental health at the department, stated, “We want to be sure anyone who has this pizza on hand throws it away so they don’t get sick. If you ate the pizza and are experiencing THC-related symptoms, please contact your health care provider or call 911 if your symptoms worsen.”
THC-Related Symptoms
Symptoms associated with THC exposure include:
- Dizziness
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Short-term memory impacts
- Time distortion
- Sleepiness
The health service emphasized that individual reactions may vary and that the concentration of THC in the pizza could differ by piece.
Cause of Contamination
According to the owners, Caitlin and Cale Ryan, the contamination occurred due to the accidental use of incorrect oil from a cooperative commercial kitchen during the preparation of a batch of dough. They noted that 60 contaminated pizzas were unknowingly served between October 22 and October 24.
Community Support
The Ryans expressed gratitude for the community’s support as they work to assist those affected by the incident. They explained, “The commercial kitchen supports multiple small food entrepreneurs, including a business that creates products containing Delta-9 [a form of THC].”
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Investigation Underway
Public Health Madison & Dane County was notified of the contamination by Stoughton Emergency Medical Services, which transported multiple individuals experiencing similar symptoms after consuming the pizza. The health department is currently conducting an investigation in collaboration with the Stoughton Police and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Official Statement
In a Facebook post, Famous Yeti’s Pizza addressed the situation, stating, “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 confirmed the contamination stemmed from dough prepared with Delta-9 contaminated oil sourced from a shared storage space in the cooperative kitchen.
The post concluded with an apology for any inconvenience or harm caused to customers.
Cannabis Legalization Context
As of 2024, 24 U.S. states, two territories (Guam and Northern 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, cannabis is only legal for medicinal purposes.
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