The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning national consumers about additional illnesses that can be contracted from a brand of microdosing candies and gummies.
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Candies, cones and gummies manufactured by the Diamond Shruumz brand, headquartered in Santa Ana, California, have now infected 39 people in the following 20 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which are working in collaboration with America's poison centers and state and local partners to determine the causes of the incidents, report that the 39 illnesses as of June 24 have included 23 hospitalizations.
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No deaths have been reported.
Products are being recalled because they contain Muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita, which could be a potential cause of symptoms consistent with those observed in persons who became ill after eating Diamond Shruumz products.
"Reported symptoms have included those linked to seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rates, and hyper/hypotension," the FDA said in a notice issued on Thursday.
The products in question include Microdosing Chocolate Bars, Infused Cones, and Micro and Macro Dose Gummies. The California-based company's products can be purchased through its wholesale store online and in an unknown number of retailers, including smoke/vape shops and those that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC).
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Newsweek reached out to Diamond Shruumz multiple times via email for comment.
The Diamond Shruumz website refers to microdosing as "candy for the creative soul," selling products on its website for costs ranging between $25 and $30.
"We've made microdosing a real treat for those seeking a subtle, sumptuous experience and a more creative state of mind," the website says. "We're talkin' confections with a kick. So if you like mushroom chocolate bars and want to mingle with some microdosing, check us out. We just might change how you see the world."
Microdosing refers to taking a fraction of a regular dose of a psychedelic rather than an entire dose that would routinely cause one to hallucinate or "trip" on such substances. Proponents have claimed that microdosing enhances daily life by benefiting aspects including creativity, mood, concentration and productivity.
The newest recall follows a warning issued earlier this month when 12 illnesses and 10 hospitalizations were reported in eight states: Alabama (one), Arizona (four), Indiana (two), Kentucky (one), Missouri (one), Nevada (one), Pennsylvania (one), and South Carolina (one). No deaths have been reported.
The FDA told Newsweek at the time that it was instructing retailers that have the products in stock not to sell or distribute them to consumers pending further instruction from the FDA.
"The FDA is working to determine the cause of these illnesses and is considering the appropriate next steps," an FDA spokesperson said. "Updates to the advisory will be provided as they become available."
About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek investigative reporter based in Michigan. His focus includes U.S. and international politics and policies, immigration, ... Read more
