Is Halloween candy often tampered with, and do police lay charges?

It seems every year after Halloween, reports surface of candy being tampered with across Ontario, prompting warnings from police.

But do these incidents result in arrests or charges, and are they legitimate?

INsauga.com reached out to police in the Greater Toronto Area, asking if someone has ever been charged with tampering with Halloween candy and if charges have ever been laid for false reports.

Durham Regional Police confirmed they have received reports of candy “with foreign objects” or candy that has been tampered with in the past.

In 2023, Durham police received two reports of foreign objects in Halloween candy.

And those “were verified,” a spokesperson said.

“We do have the approximate area where the candy was collected, but due to candy brands being purchased and distributed so commonly, we unfortunately could not narrow down a suspect,” the spokesperson added.

“To date, I do not know of any incidents that have been falsely reported, relating to tampered/altered candies. Any false reports of criminality are considered public mischief.”

In Toronto last year, police issued a public safety alert after a nail was reportedly found in a pre-wrapped chocolate bar while it was being eaten by an adult.

Police said at the time that the adult sustained minor injuries but didn’t ingest the nail.

“We have an area where the candy was from, but could not pinpoint a suspect/address,” Toronto Police Const. Laura Brabant told INsauga.com.

“No arrests have been made in this case.”

Brabant also noted that someone can be charged if they make a false report to police.

A spokesperson for Peel Regional Police also said that, “From the information I have so far, we have not laid any charges in relation to tampering with Halloween candy.”

Peel officers put out a media release last year for two incidents where needles were found in chocolate bars.

“However, there was insufficient evidence to lay any charges,” the spokesperson said.

In 2021, a small razor and screw were found “concealed inside two chocolate bars collected on Halloween night” by a 10-year-old in Milton, Halton Regional Police said.

“This was investigated by members of our service. However, a suspect could not be identified, no charges were laid,” Const. Jeff Dillon said.

Overall, Toronto, Durham, Peel and Halton police said that while they have received reports of tampered Halloween candy in the past, no charges have been laid. And no charges have been laid for anyone making a false report, either.

York Regional Police did not respond to INsauga.com’s request for comment.

There are various articles online about the topic of tampered Halloween candy, with an overall consensus that any tampering is rare and not widespread; it could even be a hoax or a misunderstanding.

But as always, parents are advised to check their child’s Halloween candy before it’s eaten.

“We encourage parents/children to avoid homemade treats from anyone they do not know,” Brabant said.

“Check the candy to make sure packaging is intact and safe. Don’t eat candy if the package is already open. Remind kids not to eat candy until it is examined by an adult.”