Indiana Health officials have learned that packages of Original Skittles sold at a Richmond, Indiana, Marathon Food Mart contained unconfirmed chemical substances, according to preliminary tests. The contamination was discovered following the sudden illness of two individuals who ate from a package of Original Skittles on the afternoon of March 4. The individuals visited Reid Hospital and were treated for burning throats, cramping and diarrhea and have been released from the hospital.
State and local health officials are working with Indiana State Police, the Food and Drug Administration and others to investigate the situation. Samples of the Skittles have been sent to the State Laboratory for testing.
Health officials are advising individuals who have purchased Skittles with the following lot numbers listed below to not consume the product. Unopened packages, or open packages with product still in the bag, should be placed in an envelope and held in a safe place until recovered by the Indiana State Police. Contact the Indiana State Police Pendleton Post at 800-527-4752 (The 800 number only works in Indiana). Please provide the officer with your name, phone number and address where the Skittles are being held and arrangements will be made to retrieve them as soon as possible.
Skittles lot numbers:
08JUL14 023
01DEC14 023
The Marathon Food Mart at 2105 National Road West in Richmond, Indiana, and the Skittles distributor, Eby Brown, have withdrawn all Skittles with the lot numbers in question.