FDA Urgently Recalls Gummies and Skittles Candies That May Cause Seizures as 10 People Are Hospitalized β With Some Cases Also Linked to Chocolate
The FDA and CDC expanded the recall of THC-infused candies to include gummies and candies after more people were hospitalized.
A total of 10 people in multiple states have become sick enough to require medical attention, including a 15-year-old girl, with symptoms including seizures, blackouts and abnormal heartbeats.
The FDA has issued a “do not sell, do not eat” warning for three products made by Diamond Shruumz, whose products contain the psychoactive ingredient THC, found in cannabis, and non-psychedelic mushrooms.
People have been hospitalized after eating ‘microdosing’ chocolate bars called Diamond Shruumz (pictured). People are warned not to eat them
The above shows some of the gummies and cones that the FDA also advises people not to consume. They are intended for ‘microdosing’ and it is unclear what causes the disease
Diamond Shruumz sells chocolates and gummies for “microdosing,” or taking small amounts of a drug to enjoy physiological actions while minimizing risks.
These contain a ‘proprietary blend’ of mushrooms ‘with a kick’, with the company saying that eating just one piece can have an effect.
The mushrooms they use do not contain psilocybin, which is federally illegal in the US, but do contain other active compounds linked to improved mood and well-being.
The treats are sold nationwide for about $25 for a chocolate bar at smoke and vape shops.
In its alert today, the FDA urged everyone not to eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz chocolate bars, cones or gummies.
They said anything in the cupboards at home should also be thrown out immediately.
The above image shows cones sold by Diamond Shruumz, which the FDA advises people not to consume
Retailers are being told to keep their stocks of the product in storage areas until instructions can be given on how to dispose of the products safely.
It’s not clear what causes the disease in people who consume the California-based company’s treats.
But some have suggested that mushrooms used to make the sweets may contain mycotoxins, which can cause seizures.
Illnesses have now been reported in eight states through June 9.
Arizona has recorded the most cases, at four, followed by Indiana with two cases.
One case each has been reported in Alaska, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Among those who fell ill was the daughter of local Arizona resident Tina Griffin, who revealed the family’s trauma in a social media post.
She wrote: ‘Yesterday my 15 year old daughter and her 16 year old cousin ate these microdosing chocolate bars from Diamond Shruumz (not real psilocybin) and ended up on a ventilator and are currently in the intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital.
‘I don’t want other parents to have to go through this nightmare.
βThe night before they overdosed, more overdoses came in.β
“So far everyone has survived, but they don’t even know what caused it, so there is no antidote.”
She said her daughter, who was not named, has now been taken off life support and released from hospital to recover.
California-based Diamond Shruumz has thousands of followers on social media β where it posts videos of young people trying the products before feeling the effects.
The chocolate bars come in six flavors, including cinnamon, cookies and cream, and cookie butter.
It is said that consuming just one or two pieces can cause a ‘trip’, while eating nine or more can cause users to reach a ‘euphoric’ state.
People are advised to wait 30 minutes after eating two pieces of chocolate bar before taking more.
Mushrooms used include lion’s mane, which have been linked to antidepressant effects, and reishi and chaga mushrooms, which some say can improve mood.
None of the mushrooms contain psilocybin, the hallucinogen present in magic mushrooms.
DailyMail.com has contacted Diamond Shruumz for comment.