FDA announces death during investigation into recalled microdosing candies

The US Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into recalled Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, wafers and gummy bears has now revealed a death, the agency announced on Tuesday.

Prophet Premium Blends last week recalled all of its Diamond Shruumz edible products sold nationwide because they contain toxic levels of a chemical found in certain mushrooms that matches symptoms that have now affected 48 people in 24 states.

The recall affects Diamond Shruumz wafers, chocolate bars and gummy bears, in both micro and mega/extreme doses, “because these products contain muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms in the genus Amanita,” the Santa Ana, California-based company said in a recall notice released Friday by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Muscimol may be a possible cause of symptoms consistent with those observed in individuals who became ill after consuming Diamond Shruumz products,” the company said. Reported symptoms include seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rate, and hyper/hypotension.

Forty-six of the 48 people reported seeking medical attention and 27 were hospitalized, according to the FDA. “One possible related death is under investigation,” the agency said.

States with cases include: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.

Friday’s recall came more than two weeks after the FDA warned consumers against consuming Diamond Shruumz microdosing chocolate bars, warning: People in four states were sick, Some of them had to be intubated.

The 22 recalled products were distributed nationwide through retail stores and mail order. The full list can be found here.

On May 27, 2024, Prophet Premium Blends received two complaints that people had become ill after eating an entire bar of chocolate. The company then reviewed an analysis of the ingredients and found that “higher than normal amounts of muscimol” had been detected.

The company has stopped production and distribution of the Diamond Shruumz product line while it continues to investigate the cause of the serious side effects with the FDA, Prophet Premium Blends said.

Individuals who have purchased Diamond Shruumz products are urged to stop using them and contact the company at 209-314-0881 or email [email protected] with their order number to initiate the refund.