Accordingly, on the evening of August 19, 2025, the Emergency Department of Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital received 2 cases (a 9-year-old patient and a 22-year-old sister) admitted to the hospital in a state of panic suspected of poisoning after eating candy without packaging or clear labels. As a result, the two patients tested positive for Marijuana stimulants (garlic).
At the Emergency Department, after examination, doctors assessed this as a suspected case of food poisoning with symptoms of stimulant poisoning. At the same time, test results showed that the two patients tested positive for Marijuana stimulants (sally). Immediately, the on-duty team performed emergency care for the patient with measures: stabilizing vital signs, fluid circulation, regulating electrolyte disorders, alkaline metastasis, treating symptoms and closely monitoring the progress.
After being treated promptly, the health of the two patients has stabilized, are alert, have all symptoms gone and are admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology for monitoring and continued treatment.
Dr. CKI Bui Anh Triet, Deputy Head of Quality Management Department - Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, said: "According to relatives, the food bag brought back by an acquaintance from abroad included many types of candy, including some flexible candy packages placed in zipper bags without packaging or labels. The whole family ate together, but only the two of them ate this candy. After about 30 minutes, both of them showed symptoms of dizziness, headache, nausea, shaking of the limbs, panic, and easily agitated.
According to Dr. Bui Anh Triet, the hospital's Emergency Department has also received many patients with food poisoning before, but this is the first time receiving a case of a patient suspected of food poisoning due to accidental eating of foods containing stimulants and addictive substances. Eating the wrong foods that contain stimulants and addictive substances, especially in young children, can lead to immediate poisoning: central nervous cycle inhibition, neurological disturbances leading to confusion, mental disorders, seizures; children can fall into a coma for up to 36 hours; arrhythmia, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, respiratory failure, even leading to death...
Experts warn that 3-no: no label - packaging, no origin - origin, no expiration date" candy for children often uses many additives and colorants to become eye-catching. Poor quality, unsafe candy can also cause users, especially young children, to be poisoned by viruses, bacteria, mold or other parasites. Foods of unknown origin are often at risk of causing digestive diseases, allergies, or if used for a long time, can lead to obesity, cancer, metabolic disorders, etc.
Through this incident, doctors at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital recommend that parents absolutely do not let their children use foods and candy without labels or unknown origins.
