All Diamond Shruumz brand chocolates and gummy bears were recalled last month because they contained toxic levels of muscimol, a chemical found in some mushrooms that can cause severe symptoms. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
July 3 (UPI) – Federal food safety regulators are investigating a possible death linked to the ingestion of recalled microdosing chocolate and candy mixes that have sickened dozens of people in the United States.
At the end of last month, all Diamond Shruumz brand chocolates and gummy bears were recalled because the products contained toxic levels of the chemical muscimol, which is found in some mushrooms and can cause, among other things, seizures, involuntary muscle contractions and loss of consciousness.
As of Monday, at least 48 illnesses linked to the edible products had been reported in 24 states, the Food and Drug Administration said in a recall update on Tuesday.
27 of the patients were hospitalized, it said. A possible related death is currently being investigated.
In a statement, US poison control centers added that they have received 82 reports of exposure to Diamond Shruumz products, including 48 cases of serious illness, all but two of which required medical attention.
The FDA said those who became ill after consuming Diamond Shruumz brand products reported a range of severe symptoms, including seizures, central nervous system depression, agitation, abnormal heart rate, nausea and vomiting.
Diamond Shruumz is instructing its customers not to consume its products during the investigation. A statement on the company’s website said that those who became ill from eating its products had consumed “the entire chocolate bar and some products with higher than normal levels of muscimol.”
The FDA also recommends that you do not eat, sell, or serve Diamond Shruumz branded candy bars, wafers, or gummy bears. Owners of the recalled products are instructed to either discard them or return them to the company for a refund.
The recalled products were sold both online and in retail stores that sell such products, including smoking and vaping stores.
