Family Discovers Bugs in Candy Bars

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A family was left in disgust after discovering bugs in candy bars they purchased from a local grocery store.

Tomeka Jones and her children bought Mr. Goodbars for Valentine's Day from a Homeland located at May Avenue and 122 Street.

Jones' son, Lavonte, was the first to realize something was wrong with their purchase.

"I got down to the last piece and put it in my mouth," Lavonte Jones said. "I noticed I felt something weird."

The 16-year-old discovered a number of worms wiggling around in his half-eaten candy. He tried to warn his grandmother, mother and sister, but it was too late.

"I was eating bugs," the teen's grandmother, Alice Norfleet said.

All four family members found the same bugs in what was left of their mostly eaten candy bars and said they were literally sick to their stomachs.

"I know I ate a lot of them," Tomeka Jones said.

After a short trip to the hospital, the family notified Homeland of what happened.

A Homeland spokesman said after learning of the incident store employees found four additional candy bars that also contained the bugs. The company pulled the remainder of the product off store shelves.

"I know there is other people that ate a Mr. Goodbar," Tomeka Jones said. "It's Valentine's Day, it's the candy season."

The Jones family said if there is anything to learn from this, it's to always look twice before taking a bite.

"Always check your candy," Norfleet said. "Anything, check anything."

Homeland has notified Hershey's, the company that makes the candy. A Hershey's representative has since visited the store but it remains unclear how or why the incident happened.

The Jones family has also been in touch with Hershey's. They said the company offered them $100 for their troubles, but the Jones said it's not enough to pay for their hospital bills.