Microdosing candies containing a chemical from mushrooms have been linked with a death and nearly 50 illnesses.
Chocolate bars, infused cones and micro-dose and mega-dose gummies made by Diamond Shruumz are being blamed for 48 illnesses from 24 states in the US, according to a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday.
All but two of the cases involved people seeking medical attention and 27 were hospitalized.
‘There is one (1) potentially associated death under investigation,’ stated the FDA.
People reporting sickness after ingesting the Diamond Shruumz candies experienced symptoms including seizures, abnormal heart rates, hyper or hypotension, central nervous system depression including losing consciousness and being confused or sleepy, vomiting and nausea.
All flavors of Diamond Shruumz products, including its Dark Chocolate Bar and Birthday Cake Chocolate Bar, were recalled by the Santa Ana, California-based firm on June 27. They should no longer be on shelves.
The company said the products have muscimol, which is found in some mushrooms and ‘could be a potential cause of symptoms consistent with some symptoms observed in individuals who became ill after consuming’ them, stated the FDA, which is investigating the matter.
The products could appeal to teenagers and kids, according to the agency.
‘Parents and caregivers should consider discussing the information in this advisory with their children and take extra care to avoid these products being consumed by younger people,’ said the FDA.
As of Tuesday, the highest number of illness cases were recorded in Arizona with six, followed by Indiana with five and South Carolina with four. Most other affected states including California and New York had only one case.
A person most recently became sick after the consuming the product on Monday.
Anyone experiencing symptoms or sickness after eating the candies is advised to call the Poison Help Line, and healthcare providers are asked to report cases to the line or a local health agency.
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