Wellington, 14 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Candies containing potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine have been donated, and distributed, in food parcels in New Zealand, police said on Wednesday.

The Rinda branded pineapple candies were donated by an unknown person in a sealed retail sized package that was then distributed in food parcels, the Auckland City Mission said.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said three people, including two children, had sought medical help after eating the candies, known as lollies in New Zealand.

"It's vital the public are aware of these lollies and the danger they present," Baldwin said.

Police were working to determine how the candies had been circulated, how many were in the community, and where they had come from.

Mission chief executive Helen Robinson said the candies had potentially gone out to 300 to 400 people.

They were first discovered on Tuesday afternoon after a person alerted the Mission to the "funny-tasting lollies."

"Tests confirmed immediately that, and this is important, potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine," Robinson said.

"Our immediate concern and priority is the safety of people we support," she said.

"To say that we are devastated is an understatement. We are totally and utterly reliant on the generosity of the public to help support people at need."

Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said one lolly tested by the organization was found to contain approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine.

"A common dose to swallow is between 10-25mg, so this contaminated lolly contained up to 300 doses," she said.

"Swallowing that much methamphetamine is extremely dangerous and could result in death."