Jul 29, 2025 12:00:00

85 people, including young children, become poisoned after pizza is accidentally laced with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana

As marijuana is legalized in various states across the United States, cases of

unexpected poisoning caused by the active ingredient in marijuana are also increasing. In a recent incident, 85 customers at a restaurant in Wisconsin became poisoned by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) , the active ingredient in marijuana, after eating pizza and sandwiches.

Tetrahydrocannabinol Intoxication from Food at a Restaurant — Wisconsin, October 2024 | MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7427a2.htm

Pizzeria mishap left at least 85 people intoxicated with THC after infused oil used for dough | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/health/marijuana/pizzeria-mishap-left-at-least-85-people-intoxicated-with-thc-after-infused-oil-used-for-dough

On October 24, 2024, the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services reported to the Madison & Dane County Public Health Department (PHMDC) that seven patients who had eaten at the same restaurant since October 22 had been transported to local hospitals with symptoms including dizziness, drowsiness, and anxiety.

Emergency medical services suspected carbon monoxide poisoning and tested for carbon monoxide levels in the homes of those who reported symptoms and at the restaurant where the patients had eaten, Famous Yeti's Pizza, but the results were negative.

In addition, a patient who ate pizza on October 23 reported to PHMDC that she tested positive for THC despite not consuming any THC. In response to these reports, PHMDC conducted an investigation into Fameuse Yeti's Pizza.

The investigation revealed that Famous Yeti's Pizza ran out of cooking oil on October 22 and used oil from a shared kitchen with other restaurants. Furthermore, another restaurant using the shared kitchen was licensed by the state to produce food products containing THC derived from cannabis, and the operator had been adding THC to cooking oil. PHMDC tested the cooking oil and it tested positive for THC.

The photo below shows cooking oil containing THC from a business that shared the same kitchen as Fameuse Yeti's Pizza. The owner of Fameuse Yeti's Pizza mistook the oil for regular cooking oil and used it in his cooking.

In response to the findings, the PHMDC issued

a statement stating that food served at Fameuse Yeti's Pizza between October 22 and 24 may have been contaminated with THC. The statement also urged people to contact a healthcare provider if they experience any of the following symptoms related to THC: dizziness, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, panic attacks, delusions, hallucinations, short-term memory loss, distorted sense of time, or drowsiness.

Ultimately, 85 patients who had eaten pizza, garlic bread, cheese bread, and sandwiches at the Fameuse Yeti's Pizza were diagnosed with THC poisoning. The ages of the patients ranged from 1 to 91, and eight were children under the age of 18.

The police investigation concluded that the THC contamination was not intentional, and no criminal charges were filed. Famouse Yeti's Pizza reopened for business on October 26 after cleaning and disinfecting in accordance with Wisconsin food code standards.