Marley's Mellow Mood drink sickens kids

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HOLMEL, N.J., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Marley's Mellow Mood drink sickened several New Jersey middle school students, the school's cafeteria operator said.

The beverage, which packaging says is not intended for children, contains ingredients such as valerian root intended to promote relaxation and relieve stress, the product's website says. The Asbury Park (N.J.) Press said Chartwells School Dining Services, the private company that operates the Satz Middle School cafeteria in Holmel, N.J., removed the product and suspended a manager pending an internal investigation into why the product, which Chartwells said is not on the approved list of beverages to be sold, was made available.

"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."

The drink, which features a likeness of the late Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter and musician Bob Marley, who died of cancer in 1981, was created in partnership with his family, the product's website said.