New Jersey Middle School Students Sickened By Bob Marley Relaxation Drink
HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Several students at a New Jersey middle school were sickened last week after consuming a relaxation drink named after reggae icon Bob Marley, officials said.
Marley's Mellow Mood, which contains ingredients such as Valerian root, is designed to reduce stress and relieve tension, according to the product's website.
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Some of the ingredients may cause drowsiness and the product is not intended for children, according to the nutrition facts.
Despite the warning on the label, the drink was being sold at Satz Middle School and Holmdel High School.
"We were informed that Marley's was a new product that did not go through the approval process required for all new products," schools Superintendent Barbara Duncan said in a statement.
The product was immediately removed from sale at both schools after a number of students at the middle school fell ill last Friday, school officials said.
The incident has prompted an investigation by Chartwells School Dining Services -- the school district's food service provider.
The company said in a statement that the drink has been removed from schools completely and will not be available. An on-site manager has also been removed pending the investigation.
"We sincerely regret that this product was sold and that students had an adverse reaction to it," the statement said. "Chartwells takes great pride and care in partnering with our school communities to provide the best school dining experience possible and we take this situation very seriously."
