Poisoned Halloween candy a myth, research shows

[The Straight Story]

Poisoned Halloween candy a myth, research shows

We've all heard it: "Be careful with the Halloween candy your kids get."

This is usually followed by an anecdote of poisoned candy, razor blades hidden in chocolate bars or ecstasy disguised as sweets. Is it all true?

According to Indiana pediatricians Aaron E. Carroll and Rachel C. Vreeman, the poisoned candy story is a myth. Despite the widespread fear of tampered candy, they couldn't identify one single instance in half-a-century in which trick-or-treaters were poisoned.

The doctors, who debunk several myths in their book Don't Swallow Your Gum, also cite research by University of Delaware sociologist, Dr. Joel Best. He scanned major newspapers between 1958 and 1993 for stories about Halloween candy tampering. He came up with about 100 stories that suggested it. When he followed up with police and hospitals, he found out that absolutely none of the incidents could be attributed to random Halloween violence.

Most of them were pranks, directed to specific targets and initiated by children themselves, in which almost nobody was hurt. This included, for instance, charcoal, rocks and ant traps inside treat baggies. Upon further research, Best discovered that even the alleged contamination was, in many other instances, a hoax.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_momsatwork/2009/10/poisoned-halloween-candy-a-myth-research-shows.html

[Chemisse]

1. Are they kidding? It was all a big farce?

All those years I went through the kids' Halloween candy, examining piece by piece, before letting them eat any, was all for no reason at all?!

[ejpoeta]

9. was your 'examination' one that required you eat it?

[Chemisse]

10. LOL - I did usually get a 'toll booth bite' - nt

[mike_c]

2. just to be safe, I always hand out cigarettes...

...in sealed mini-packs. You just can't be too careful these days.... :rofl:

[librechik]

3. Except for the candy. That's bad for you. Toxic!

stick to fruits and veggies. (I know, party pooper)

[kestrel91316]

7. Halloween candy is bad for you specifically because witches pray over it and

summon demons into it. The Jesus Lady said so.

[librechik]

8. yes--there's a haze over the shopping mall from all the smoke and burning newt's bottoms

escaping from those cursed Skittles! (oops--gave it away! DON'T EAT THE SKITTLES!!! ESPECIALLY THE GREEN ONES!!!!)

[Berry Cool]

11. Someone's burning Newt Gingrich's bottom??

Talk about toxic plumes...whew

[tridim]

4. Not according to snopes..

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/needles.asp

[Zen Democrat]

5. Well, they obviously don't know about "The Candy Man" in Texas in the early 70's.

http://onthepatio.typepad.com/on_the_patio/2008/10/re-the-candy-ma.html

He was "credited" for ending Halloween all across the country. This sicko killed his son with cyanide in the pixie stix, and for cover he gave it to some other kids as well, who didn't eat their candy that night.

The man killed his son for insurance money. For what it's worth, he was a devout churchgoer and sang in the choir. He was executed.

[Berry Cool]

12. I think they DO know about him. That's the point.

That sicko was not a "random" sicko just trying to poison anybody. He deliberately targeted his own son, and the other kids were just for cover. And he was ONE guy. ONE.

In other matters, however, the Tylenol killer, who really does appear to have had random killing as the motive, has never been found and brought to justice.

[Engineer4Obama]

6. This article is a lie!

I do this every year!

:sarcasm:

[imdjh]

13. I think the stories were started by kids who wanted to stop candy apples and popcorn balls....

.... and other homemade treats. Damn it! There is one thing a kid wants in his candy bag on Halloween- C A N D Y.