Razor Blades in Halloween Candy - Sharyl
Answer
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How did the fear of “razor blades in Halloween candy” come about?
The fear of razor blades in Halloween candy gained significant attention in the 1970s, a time when concerns about children's safety were on the rise. The first well-known case of Halloween candy tampering (also referred to as "Halloween sadism") in North America occurred in 1959. Over the years, a few rare and isolated incidents of tampered candy have occurred, including reports of needles or razor blades being found. However, most of these reports lacked strong evidence. Although the media has played a role in amplifying these fears, research by sociologists like Joel Best has shown that cases of intentional candy tampering are incredibly rare.
How did this fear spread?
This fear was fueled by sensationalized media reports, parental concerns about children's safety, and word of mouth. These factors contributed to mass hysteria. In such cases, a large group of people experiences collective panic or irrational fear, often driven by media, rumors, or misinformation. Although isolated incidents of Halloween candy tampering have occured and amplified the belief in a widespread danger, many were later revealed to be hoaxes or misinterpretations.
A New York Times headline from 1970, Image Credit: New York Times
Have there been any confirmed cases of razor blades in candy?
There have been very few verified cases of razor blades, sharp objects, or other forms of Halloween candy tampering. Most of these verified incidents were not random acts by strangers during trick-or-treating, but instead often involved someone the child knew. Over the years, many reports of incidents have been revealed to be hoaxes or misunderstandings. While there are a few isolated real incidents, the idea of razor blades in candy or Halloween candy tampering, in general, is considered an urban legend rather than a significant threat.
Podcast:
https://share.descript.com/view/aWLv21ONlrf
References:
Best, Joel. “Halloween Sadism: The Evidence.” Udel.edu, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, 2008, udspace.udel.edu/items/f1d5b64c-9fa5-48f4-8b60-356b15975045. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Best, Joel, and Gerald T. Horiuchi. “The Razor Blade in the Apple: The Social Construction of Urban Legends.” Social Problems, vol. 32, no. 5, 1985, pp. 488–99. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/800777. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Calvanese J. Should we X-ray Halloween candy? Revisited. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1988 Apr;30(2):165-9. PMID: 3381489.
“Don’t Be Spooked by Injuries This Halloween; Follow CPSC’s Tips to Protect Children from Harm.” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2020/Dont-Be-Spooked-by-Injuries-This-Halloween-Follow-CPSCs-Tips-to-Protect-Children-from-Harm.
“Halloween Safety: A National Survey of Parents’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors.” Safe Kids Worldwide, Oct. 2011.
Mikkelson, Barbara , and Snopes Staff. “Pins and Needles in Halloween Candy.” Snopes, 1 Nov. 2000, www.snopes.com/fact-check/pins-and-needles/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Santino, Jack. Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life. Knoxville, University Of Tennessee Press, 1994, pp. 26–30.
Schmidt, Alex, host. “The Strange Origins (And Stranger Persistence) of the Razor Blades in Candy Myth.” Secretly Incredibly Fascinating, Maximum Fun, 11 Oct. 2022, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-show-62-the-strange-origins-and/id1524560275?i=1000582108767. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Staples JA, Yip C, Redelmeier DA. Pedestrian Fatalities Associated With Halloween in the United States. JAMA Pediatr. 2019;173(1):101–103. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.4052
Whistler, Simon, host. "Has Anyone Ever Actually Poisoned or Put Razors in Halloween Candy?" Today I Found Out, 27 Oct. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhvzgn1cKsg. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.