Is There Really a Razor Blade Problem in Michigan Halloween Candy?
For decades, Michigan parents have worried about the possibility of their children eating Halloween candy laced with drugs or filled with needles and razor blades.
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We hear stories from time to time about candy tampering but are they true? I think you'll find it's not as big of an issue as people seem to claim.
Has Anyone In Michigan Ever Really Found a Razor Blade in Halloween Candy?
While Halloween candy tampering is largely the stuff of urban legend, there was a case in Manistee in 2014 where razor blades were found in pieces of candy. The razor blades were shoved into pieces of Laffy Taffy and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Luckily, no kids were injured.
Is There Really a Razor Blade Problem in Halloween Candy?
No, absolutely not.
Joel Best, a University of Delaware sociology and criminal justice professor did some research on the tampering of Halloween candy in the U.S. dating back to the 1950s.
I couldn't find a single report of a child killed or seriously injured from a contaminated treat received during trick-or-treating. This is a contemporary legend, and that's all it is.
According to CBC, Best identified about 200 confirmed cases of candy tampering in the U.S. and Canada since 1958.
The idea of finding razor blades or other dangerous objects in Halloween candy is a common urban legend. Yes, there have been reports of such incidents over the years. However, these incidents are extremely rare and often turn out to be hoaxes or isolated incidents.
Halloween Candy Tampering in 2023
While Halloween candy tampering isn't a problem in the United States, it's not a bad idea to double-check your kid's candy to be on the safe side. We're living in some wild times and it's better to be safe than sorry.
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