Bread sold by Santa Ana bakery contained synthetic drug

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A synthetic drug was found in bread sold by a Santa Ana bakery that was shut down after 40 people fell ill, Orange County health officials said Friday.

The synthetic drug was found in a preliminary investigation of Cholula's Bakery, which was shut down on Tuesday. Confirmed laboratory results are expected in one to two weeks.

"Wow. I'm freaking out, because I never do that in my life," said Santa Ana resident Fidelina Solis, who ate the bread.

Forty people fell ill eating the bakery's Rosca de Reyes bread, a fruit cake eaten during Three Kings Day or Epiphany. The bakery distributed the bread to nearly a dozen different locations.

During the shutdown, health officials cited traces of a cockroach infestation. Those who became ill suffered dizziness, palpitations and numbness.

Detectives said the owners of the bakery remained cooperative.

The bakery is expected to remain closed until the restaurant receives professional grade cleaning, disposes all opened food and ingredients used to make the Rosca de Reyes bread and gives a mandatory food safety training to all its staff.

The Santa Ana Police is taking over the criminal investigation.

Those who believe they have eaten the tainted bread are asked to call Santa Ana Police at (714) 245-8390.