SINGAPORE — A snack marketed as containing a form of cannabis was found to have been recently put on sale in vending machines in Singapore, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said in a statement on Friday (Jan 6).

CNB has ordered the importer to remove the product, Piranha Power Pack Nuts, which is suspected to contain hemp seed flour derived from the Cannibis Sativa plant. 

“The botanical name for the hemp plant is Cannabis Sativa. In other words, hemp is cannabis,” CNB said.

Manufacturers often use the term hemp to refer to a plant variety that has a very low amount of the psychoactive chemical substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is unlikely to produce any euphoric effects.

Nonetheless, cannabis and its derivatives are listed as Class ‘A’ controlled drugs in the first schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act. 

“Any products derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant or its seeds can contain controlled drugs such as THC, despite the product labels indicating otherwise,” CNB said, adding that there are adverse health impacts linked to the use of THC.

The manufacturer of the snack, an Australian-owned firm, states on its website that a packet of the Piranha Power Pack Nuts contains 2 per cent of hemp seed flour. 

CNB did not specify where the vending machines containing these products were located or the name of the importer.

Investigations by CNB are ongoing, it said.

The importation, exportation, possession, sale and consumption of controlled drugs or products containing controlled drugs, even in trace amounts, is an offence, CNB said. 

“Anyone who had purchased the Piranha Power Pack Nuts snack should not consume it, and should dispose of it,” it said.

Members of the public may contact CNB at 1800 325 6666 for advice and assistance if they come across other food products or substances suspected to contain controlled drugs, or make a report at www.eservices.cnb.gov.sg/feedback.