Kroger Pulls Fake Halloween Syringes After Complaints

I love pens 😍😍 #syringepen #nurse #colourfulA photo posted by Stacey Allen [...]

By Elle Kammerer

I love pens 😍😍 #syringepen #nurse #colourful

A photo posted by Stacey Allen (@staceyallen1992) on

A Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio, has decided to stop selling a controversial Halloween accessory after several parents complained, WCPO reports.

The offensive items in question are fake syringes that are actually ballpoint pens. Some of them are red and appear to contain blood inside. The accessories were sold in the Halloween aisle in many Kroger stores.

One concerned mom, Linda Meyer, took a picture of them and complained to store management, saying she didn't find it funny.

"There is no place for this," she said. "We have a heroin epidemic. Just think it is a horrible idea."

Meyer went on to say that it was personally offensive to her, as she could only imagine if a friend of hers affected by the heroin crisis saw the toys.

"It just sends the wrong message," Meyer said. "My friend lost her son to a heroin overdose last fall. So this is extremely personal to me."

A spokeswoman for Kroger issued an apology. "We have notified stores to pull them from the shelves. They should not be on shelves — we are following back up to ensure that they are pulled."

Toy syringes have seemingly been around forever, as part of doctor play kits that many young children like to play with. Is there any difference between the two?

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