Investigation after sweet treat turns sour

Published: 7:19PM Friday February 10, 2012 Source: ONE News

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is investigating a sour lolly available in dairies across the country.

It comes after two Auckland girls said the "Cosmic Rollerball" left their mouths bleeding.

"It started burning my tongue, like I had set it on fire or something because it really hurt," Madi Willis told TV ONE's Close Up programme.

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A three-year-old family friend of Madi also tried the lolly.

"She just said 'blood, blood' and that was pretty much all she said," said Madi.

Madi's 15-year-old sister Brooke was with them and took photos of the damage done.

"It was horrible. I just thought it was the juice of it and then I looked closer and there was blood coming out."

"We took a photo just so we could show people what's actually happened."

Brooke showed the photo to her mother Leanne, who went to the dairy where the lolly was bought.

The owner said he had never had any complaints before, but he refunded them and took the products off the shelves.

There have been similar complaints elsewhere. A search of the internet reveals plenty of website discussions about sour candies causing bleeding and pain.

Leanne knows it is not a matter of life and death but she thinks the labelling should include a warning.

"There's going to be a child that's going to have some really bad reaction to it and if I did nothing and knew about this, then I'd feel terrible."

She said she rang the distributors in Australia and the New Zealand agent but they didn't return her calls.

MAF has taken a statement from the girls and has launched an investigation.

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