Tragedy struck a pizzeria, resulting in over 85 individuals being intoxicated due to the use of THC-infused oil in the dough.
In October 2024, a mass intoxication event unfolded at Famous Yeti's Pizza in Stoughton, Wisconsin. The incident, which affected at least 85 people, was traced back to the co-location of the pizza restaurant with a state-licensed vendor producing THC edibles in a shared kitchen.
The health department was first alerted to the issue on Oct. 24, 2024. Investigations revealed that the state-licensed vendor had used THC-infused cooking oil in the shared kitchen, which was later found to have been used by Famous Yeti's Pizza. The restaurant's owner initially mistook the oil as plain canola oil but later discovered it might have been infused with THC.
As a result, the pizza dough was accidentally contaminated with THC, leading to symptoms consistent with THC intoxication. These included dizziness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, hallucinations, and short-term memory impacts. Thirty-three of the affected individuals consulted a health care provider, with three hospitalized for at least one night. None of the children or teens were hospitalized.
The health department advised anyone who had bought food from the restaurant between Oct. 22 and Oct. 24, 2024, to throw away any leftovers. Leftover grinders (submarine sandwiches), garlic bread, and cheese bread from the restaurant were also affected. The restaurant reopened on Oct. 26 after being cleaned and sanitized, per Wisconsin Food Code, following the incident.
The report, published on July 24, 2025, in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, concluded that co-location of food establishments with businesses that make THC-infused products increases the risk of unintentional THC exposure. To mitigate such risks, regulations such as standard, clear labeling and locked storage for ingredients containing THC are recommended.
Public health reports also suggest that clinicians and public health authorities should be aware of the potential for mass THC intoxications in these scenarios. This incident underscores the importance of stringent controls to ensure the safety of licensed food operations by preventing the exposure of uninformed consumers to psychoactive substances.
Despite the incident, no criminal charges were pursued in the case. The health department later released additional information on social media and its blog to notify the public about the incident and provide guidance. The report also identified 85 individuals who became intoxicated after eating food from the restaurant, ranging in age from 1 to 91 years old, including 8 children and teens under 18 years old. Eight additional individuals who became ill after eating at the restaurant were identified, but none completed a questionnaire, potentially bringing the total to 93.
Fifteen people tested positive for THC, while results were not available for the other 70. The oil from a labeled storage container in the restaurant tested positive for THC, highlighting the need for clear labeling and strict storage requirements to prevent such incidents in the future.
- Beyond pizza dough, leftover grinders, garlic bread, and cheese bread were also found to be contaminated with THC at Famous Yeti's Pizza in Stoughton, Wisconsin, due to the co-location with a state-licensed THC edibles vendor.
- The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published in July 2025, highlighted the risk of unintentional THC exposure from co-located food establishments preparing THC-infused products.
- Public health reports emphasized the importance of knowing the potential for mass THC intoxications associated with food establishments that unintentionally expose consumers to psychoactive substances like THC.
