THC-Tainted Food: 85 Sick at Wisconsin Pizzeria

Yeah. It happened in Wisconsin.

One pizza. One mistake. 85 people sick.

Famous Yeti's Pizza in Stoughton accidentally used THC-infused oil - thinking it was just canola oil. Real messy situation. Kids. Seniors. Pregnant women. All hit with symptoms like dizziness, paranoia, even hallucinations.

No one meant for it to go down like that. But it did.

And now? It's a wake-up call. For restaurants. For regulators. For anyone who eats food made outside the home.

THC-tainted food isn't just a "high" - it can be dangerous, especially when it's accidental THC ingestion. This is what went down. And this? This is what you need to know.

What Exactly Happened?

Picture this: It's a busy evening at Famous Yeti's Pizza, one of those places where families gather for Friday night dinners and kids get excited about cheesy bread. The kitchen staff is hustling, trying to keep up with orders, when suddenly they realize they're running low on oil.

In a shared kitchen space with another business - a state-licensed THC edible producer - they grabbed what they thought was regular canola oil. The container was labeled "D9," which probably seemed harmless enough. Little did they know, that "D9" stood for Delta-9 THC, a psychoactive compound that would soon turn their customers' dinner into something far more intense than they bargained for.

How THC Got Into the Pizza

The setup was perfect for disaster. The pizzeria shared the same building - and kitchen prep area - with a licensed THC edible manufacturer. When the pizza crew ran out of cooking oil during a rush, they did what any of us might do in a pinch: they looked around for alternatives.

Unfortunately, the oil they grabbed wasn't canola at all. It was THC-infused oil, clearly marked with "D9" but not with any warnings that this wasn't your typical cooking ingredient. This oil got mixed into the dough for pizza, garlic bread, cheese bread, and grinder sandwiches - turning an ordinary meal into something that would make even experienced cannabis users reconsider their relationship with food.

Timeline of the Outbreak

The nightmare began on October 22nd, when the first contaminated food hit customers' tables. By the 23rd and 24th, reality set in hard. Seven people needed hospital treatment, all reporting similar symptoms: dizziness, anxiety, overwhelming sleepiness, and that telltale confusion that comes with unexpected intoxication.

All of them had one thing in common - they'd eaten at Famous Yeti's. One person even tested positive for THC despite having never used cannabis in their life. That's when the alarm bells really started ringing.

By October 24th, the CDC and local health officials were notified. The restaurant closed immediately, while investigators scrambled to piece together exactly what had happened. It wasn't until October 26th that the restaurant could reopen, only after thorough sanitization following Wisconsin Food Code protocols.

Who Was Affected by THC-Tainted Food?

This wasn't just an adult-only situation. When 107 people responded to public health questionnaires, and 85 met the confirmed case definition for THC intoxication, the numbers painted a sobering picture. An additional 8 cases were found through contact tracing - people who either didn't respond to surveys or didn't realize they'd been affected.

The Victims: A Demographic Spectrum

What makes this incident particularly chilling is who ended up affected. We're talking about a range from 1-year-old babies to 91-year-old seniors. Eight minors under 18 were among those sickened, with four of them being kids under 13 - far too young to understand what was happening to their little bodies.

Fifteen people tested positive for THC, a number that doesn't even begin to capture the full scope of the situation. Thirty-three sought medical care, with 27 ending up in the emergency room and three requiring overnight hospital stays. Perhaps most concerning, three people reported impaired driving - imagine getting behind the wheel in that state of confusion and panic.

Symptoms of THC Food Poisoning

Here's where things get serious. The symptoms weren't just uncomfortable - they were potentially dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Take a look at what most people experienced:

Symptom	% of Cases (85 total)	Notes
Dizziness	94%	Most common
Sleepiness	89%	Often profound
Anxiety	79%	Especially in adults
Nausea	61%	Led to vomiting in 12%
Increased heart rate	64%	A key medical red flag
Paranoia / Panic	~50%	Reported by half
Hallucinations	26%	Including a child
Short-term memory issues	69%	Even in mild cases
Vomiting	12%	More common in children

But it didn't stop there. Some people reported red eyes, dry mouth, confusion, and in one particularly concerning case, suicidal thoughts. Others experienced what felt like allergy-like reactions - their bodies fighting something they didn't understand was happening to them.

According to the CDC investigation, while no leftover food was tested directly, the oil container itself tested positive for THC using the Duquenois-Levine test - confirming that this wasn't some kind of mass hysteria or food poisoning, but a very real case of THC contamination.

Why Did This Mistake Happen?

Let's be honest - mistakes happen. But when they involve substances that can profoundly affect people's mental and physical states, especially children and the elderly, we have to ask: could this have been prevented? The answer, unfortunately, is yes.

Shared Kitchen Challenges

The core of the problem was straightforward but avoidable: the restaurant shared kitchen space with a THC edible producer. In the same prep area where dozens of cooking oils might be stored, a container labeled simply "D9" sat among the others. To the untrained eye - and even to trained staff without proper education - it might look just like any other oil container.

There were no locked storage units, no clear protocols about separating edible cannabis products from regular food ingredients. It was like having fireworks stored next to matches, except the consequences weren't explosions, but confused, frightened people wondering what was happening to their bodies.

The Labeling and Training Gap

Here's where the human element really comes into play. The staff members who grabbed that oil container didn't know what "D9" meant. They weren't malicious or careless - they simply made an assumption based on what appeared to be standard kitchen labeling.

There was no training provided about identifying THC products in shared spaces, no protocols about double-checking unusual labels, no clear warnings that would set off internal alarm bells. The assumption was simple and understandable: "If it looks like oil, it's for cooking."

Regulatory Oversight Issues

This incident exposed a critical gap in current regulations. While Wisconsin law allows hemp-derived THC thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, there are surprisingly few rules about how these products should be handled in food service environments.

Consider this: there are currently no state requirements for:

• Childproof packaging for edible THC products
• Locked storage in shared commercial kitchen spaces
• Standardized warning labels that are clear to non-experts

The CDC's recommendation is straightforward: "Clear labeling and locked storage could prevent future outbreaks." It's that simple, yet that complicated to implement when regulations haven't caught up with the reality of what's happening in our commercial kitchens.

As public health officials from Madison and Dane County noted, "The co-location of food businesses with THC producers is a growing public health risk - especially as hemp edibles become more common."

Risks of Accidental THC Ingestion

This isn't just about getting high when you didn't expect to. When THC ends up in food by accident, the consequences can be genuinely dangerous - particularly for certain groups of people who might be more vulnerable to its effects.

Why It's Dangerous

First, there's the timing issue. Unlike smoking or vaping, where effects hit within minutes, edible THC can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in. During that time, people might eat more, thinking they're just hungry, compounding the situation.

The effects also last much longer - 4 to 12 hours compared to just 1-3 hours when smoked. And here's the kicker: there's no dose control in contaminated food. You don't know how much THC is in that slice of pizza, so you can't regulate your intake. It's like playing Russian roulette with your dinner.

Who's Most at Risk

Children are particularly vulnerable. Their smaller body mass means even small amounts of THC can cause significant sedation, hallucinations, or breathing problems. Imagine a 2-year-old becoming completely unresponsive after eating garlic bread - that's the reality some families faced.

The elderly aren't far behind in terms of risk. Many have underlying heart conditions that THC's ability to increase heart rate can seriously exacerbate. For someone with a history of cardiac issues, that racing heartbeat could be life-threatening.

Pregnant women face their own unique concerns. THC crosses the placenta, potentially affecting fetal development in ways we're still learning to understand. For people with mental health conditions, accidental ingestion can trigger psychotic episodes or panic attacks. And for those on medications, THC can interact dangerously with blood thinners, antidepressants, and other commonly prescribed drugs.

Real People, Real Stories

Numbers tell part of the story, but real human experiences bring it home. Listen to this parent from Stoughton:

"My 7-year-old started crying, said the walls were melting... then passed out on the couch. We didn't connect it to the garlic bread until the news broke." That's the kind of parental nightmare that no amount of apology can truly address.

Or consider the experience of a 62-year-old man who ended up in the ER: "I couldn't concentrate at work. Thought I was having a stroke. Heart racing, dizzy. Never touched weed in my life." Imagine the terror of thinking you're having a medical emergency when you're actually experiencing the effects of contaminated food.

Prevention: What's Being Done Now?

The good news is that this incident has sparked serious conversations about prevention. Both the restaurant and public health officials have taken steps to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Restaurant Response

Cale Ryan, the owner of Famous Yeti's, responded transparently and appropriately. He publicly apologized, cooperated fully with the investigation, and agreed to immediate closure when the problem was identified. The restaurant underwent thorough sanitization and implemented new safety protocols.

Most importantly, they changed their oil suppliers and now use dedicated, locked oil storage - a simple but crucial change that would have prevented the original mistake.

Public Health Recommendations

The response from public health officials has been comprehensive and thoughtful. The CDC and local authorities are pushing for:

• Clear labeling standards for all THC-infused products
• Locked, separated storage in shared facilities
• Staff training for food handlers in multi-tenant kitchens
• Public alerts via social media and text during investigations

Regulatory Changes

On the legislative front, momentum is building for serious change. Milwaukee City Council is already working on banning THC sales to anyone under 21, partly in response to recent child overdoses from edible gummies.

State lawmakers are discussing new rules specifically for Delta-8 and Delta-9 hemp products, which have become increasingly popular but lack the regulatory oversight that traditional cannabis products receive. However, as of now, Wisconsin still lacks statewide food safety regulations specifically addressing THC ingredients - leaving restaurants and consumers vulnerable.

As one Public Health Madison & Dane County official put it bluntly: "Without clear rules, this will happen again." It's a sobering reminder that good intentions and apologies, while necessary, aren't enough without systemic change.

What Should You Do If This Happens to You?

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to protecting yourself and your family. If you ever suspect that you've consumed THC-tainted food, here's what you need to do.

Immediate Response Steps

First things first: stop eating immediately and save any leftovers in a sealed container. This might seem obvious, but in the moment of confusion that often accompanies accidental THC ingestion, basic steps can be forgotten.

Monitor your symptoms carefully. Dizziness, anxiety, nausea, and confusion are all red flags. But here's something crucial: don't drive. THC impairs coordination and judgment in ways that make operating a vehicle incredibly dangerous - to you and everyone else on the road.

Contact poison control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. They're available 24/7 and can provide real-time guidance based on your specific situation. This is not the time to Google symptoms and hope for the best.

Seek emergency medical help if you experience:

• Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Severe anxiety or hallucinations
• Any symptoms affecting a child or elderly person

Reporting the Incident

Your experience matters - not just for your own care, but for public health tracking. Contact your local health department to report what happened. You can also report via the CDC's public health hotline or your state's reporting portal.

When you report, be prepared to provide the date and location where you ate, what food you consumed, and the symptoms you experienced. This information helps track outbreaks and potentially prevent others from experiencing the same situation.

Testing After Ingestion

If you're concerned about THC exposure, testing is available. Urine, blood, and saliva tests can detect THC presence, though they're not always reliable for determining exact dosing or timing of consumption. Home tests do exist but vary significantly in accuracy.

In emergency room situations, medical providers may order tests as part of your evaluation. The important thing is to be honest about everything you've eaten, even if you think it might sound unusual or embarrassing.

Final Thoughts on This Important Wake-Up Call

This wasn't a prank. It wasn't "just a weed high." It was 85 real people - including a 1-year-old - who got accidentally dosed with THC in their dinner.

The Famous Yeti's incident shows how easy it is for THC-tainted food to slip through the cracks. Shared kitchens. Unclear labels. No rules. One wrong bottle of oil - and everything changes.

We need better safeguards. Clear labels. Locked storage. Training. Because accidental THC ingestion isn't funny - it's frightening.

If you or someone you love feels "off" after eating out - trust your gut. Get help. Report it. Speak up.

Let this be a lesson - not a repeat.

As we move forward in a world where hemp-derived products are becoming increasingly common in our food systems, we have to remember that what happened in Wisconsin could happen anywhere. The question isn't whether it will happen again, but whether we'll be prepared when it does.

By staying informed, advocating for better regulations, and supporting restaurants that take safety seriously, we can all play a part in preventing the next accidental THC contamination incident. Because at the end of the day, nobody should have to worry about whether their dinner is going to send them to the emergency room.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.