Threat of poison candy likely bunk, researcher says

YEARLY trick-or-treat safety guides urge parents to keenly scan each candy wrapper to spot signs of hidden poisons or razor blades.

But has any kid ever actually been hurt or killed by a nefarious neighbor's ricin-laced Snickers?

Joel Best, a University of Delaware sociology and criminal-justice professor, found that the candy-coated threat is about as likely as real vampires and witches going door-to-door each Oct. 31.

He has studied newspaper articles going back 25 years, looking for the sensational tale of a child collapsing after eating a handful of poison Skittles.

"I couldn't find anything," he said. "There was one kid that was poisoned by his father for insurance money, and he just assumed that was happening all the time, and no one would ever suspect him."

That was back in the mid-'80s. Since then, he's updated his research yearly. Newspapers reported four separate instances of children injured by tainted treats, but all were later redacted after other causes surfaced, he has found.

Even so, the fear and caution remain. Concerned parents can even have their youngsters' pillow sacks of goodies X-rayed for hidden metals, plastics or glass at Patient First centers in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland.

"The kids get a kick out of seeing what's in their bags and the parents get peace of mind," said Ian Slinkman, a Patient First spokesman.

Best said that fielding questions about poisoned candy each Halloween is his "seasonal job."

"Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday," Best said. "We stopped believing in ghosts and goblins, but we still believe in criminals. It sort of updates our fears."