Current:Home > MarketsDiamond Shruumz recall: FDA reports new hospitalizations, finds illegal substances -CryptoBase
Diamond Shruumz recall: FDA reports new hospitalizations, finds illegal substances
View
Date:2025-04-20 01:05:44
More illnesses and hospitalizations have been linked to recalled mushroom micro-dosing candies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Thursday. As part of an ongoing investigation, the agency also shared new test results revealing what compounds the tested products contain.
The FDA issued an initial warning on June 7, saying a 'severe' illness associated with some Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Mushroom Chocolate Bars had landed several people in the hospital suffering medical issues, including seizures, vomiting, and abnormal heart rate.
Originally, the FDA, in tandem with the Centers for Disease Control and America’s Poison Centers and state and local partners, said it was investigating eight illnesses reported from four states, six of which landed people in the hospital. More products were then added to the recall list beyond just chocolate bars.
In a late July update, the agency had tracked 74 cases in 28 states linked to the edibles, resulting in 38 hospitalizations and two potentially associated deaths.
On Thursday, the FDA released the first round of lab results from testing done on different Diamond Shruumz chocolate bars, revealing that some of the products contained prescription or controlled substances and unlisted compounds.
The announcement also confirmed that, as of Aug. 2, the total number of reported illnesses linked to the micro-dosing sweets was up to 113 total with 42 hospitalizations and still two potentially associated deaths across 28 states.
Despite this warning, the products have still been found on shelves in some areas.
Recalls:More cases, additional death reported in nationwide Boar's Head deli meat listeria outbreak
What did FDA testing find in micro-dosing mushroom edibles?
The ongoing FDA investigation has honed in on discerning what ingredients are causing people to fall ill.
Typically, mushroom-infused products are advertised for use in micro-dosing and often boast the inclusion of "mushroom nootropics" or "functional mushrooms," which are advertised as being good for brain health and clarity along with offering nutritional value. These claims have not been reviewed by the FDA or other health agencies.
Commercial mushroom-infused products that are sold legally in the U.S. are not supposed to contain what many people traditionally associate with "magic mushrooms." Instead, they are generally made with extracts from legal mushrooms, such as Amanita muscaria (which produces muscimol), or simply with a "proprietary mushroom blend" that is not fully disclosed on the packaging.
Diamond Shruumz products employ this vague labeling, listing the ingredients as soy, milk, and Diamond's "proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms," according to the company's website.
Initial FDA lab testing was conducted on 19 samples of Diamon Shruumz Chocolate Bars, six of which were found to contain muscimol. However, the FDA noted that muscimol did not appear in all products and could not "explain all the symptoms reported by ill patients who consumed the Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars."
The testing also found several other compounds in the tested chocolate products, including:
- Acetylpsilocin (also known as 4-acetoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, 4-acetoxy-DMT, O-acetylpsilocin, or psilacetin) was found in nine Chocolate Bar samples. Acetylpsilocin is a synthetic substance that, when ingested, is metabolized into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the primary psychedelic agent in magic mushrooms.
- Psilocin, a Schedule I controlled substance, was found in four Chocolate Bar samples
- Pregabalin, a prescription drug, was found in three Chocolate Bar samples. Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant generally used to treat neurological pain and seizures.
- Desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain (kavalactones found in the kava plant), were all present together in 15 Chocolate Bar samples. Kavalactones are known to have psychoactive properties and are thought to produce sedating and mood-enhancing effects. Kava is legal in the U.S. but banned or heavily regulated elsewhere, like the UK. It is known to be hepatotoxic or toxic to the liver, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Results shared by the FDA showed varying compounds present not only in different flavors of the chocolate bars but also within the same flavors. The agency noted that there may be variants in which compounds are present and in which combinations are used from product to product.
"Although these compounds individually have known effects when ingested, there is less research on the interactions between these compounds when ingested together," the FDA said.
The FDA results are consistent with prior testing done by experts at the University of Virginia's (UVA) poison center in July, which found tested Diamond Shruumz products, along with other mushroom-infused edible brands, contained psilocin.
Which Diamond Shruumz products have been recalled?
All Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing sweets are included in the FDA recall, including Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies.
All types of Diamond Shruumz Chocolate Bars and Gummies come in various quantities and flavors, and all flavors of Diamond Shruumz Cones are also covered by the warning.
In a recall notice posted on Diamond Shruumz's website, parent company Prophet Premium Blends said it had stopped making and distributing all Diamond Shruumz products.
The notice attributed consumer illnesses to higher levels of Muscimol than normal and said it is "crucial" that all consumers "refrain from ingesting this product while we, alongside the FDA, continue our investigation as to what is the cause of the serious adverse effects."
What states have seen cases of illness linked to Diamon Shruumz products?
The FDA has reported cases of illness linked to Diamond Shruumz products in 28 states.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
What are the symptoms of the Diamond Shruumz candy illness?
While health agencies continue to search for the cause, people who became ill after eating the product reported several symptoms including:
- Seizures
- Central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness)
- Agitation
- Abnormal heart rates
- Hypertension (Blood pressure too high) and hypotension (Blood pressure too low)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
FDA: Throw the affected mushroom candies right away
The FDA advises safely disposing of any Diamond Shruumz-brand products. Consumers who may have the products in their homes should immediately discard them if found. Diamond Shruumz products should not be eaten, sold, or served.
Prophet Premium Blends likewise has advised that no one consumes or sells the products. Retailers and wholesalers should discontinue use, stop distribution, quarantine the product immediately and contact their sales representative to initiate the return and refund. Consumers who have purchased Diamond Shruumz products are urged to stop using the product and return it to 1019 Arlington St., Orlando, FL 32805, for a full refund.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Ex-Los Angeles police officer won’t be retried for manslaughter for fatal shooting at Costco store
- Rob Manfred says he will retire as baseball commissioner in January 2029 after 14 years
- Brother of dead suspect in fires at Boston-area Jewish institutions pleads not guilty
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- 16-year-old boy arrested in NYC subway shooting that killed 1 and wounded 5
- Matthew Morrison Reveals He Was Quitting Glee Before Cory Monteith's Death
- Will it take a high-profile athlete being shot and killed to make us care? | Opinion
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Ohio woman who disappeared with 5-year-old foster son she may have harmed now faces charges
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Texas man killed in gunfight with police at central Michigan café
- Woman killed at Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration identified as radio DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan
- US eases restrictions on Wells Fargo after years of strict oversight following scandal
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Public utilities regulator joins race for North Dakota’s single U.S. House seat
- Woman killed at Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration identified as radio DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan
- A fin whale decomposing on an Oregon beach creates a sad but ‘super educational’ spectacle
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Woman charged in scheme to steal over 1,000 luxury clothing items worth $800,000
Mississippi seeing more teacher vacancies
What to know about Thursday's Daytona Duels, the qualifying races for the 2024 Daytona 500
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
Israel launches series of strikes in Lebanon as tension with Iran-backed Hezbollah soars
Chiefs players comfort frightened children during Super Bowl parade mass shooting
Endangered right whale floating dead off Georgia is rare species’ second fatality since January