The above shows the number of illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths reported to date. The death is potentially linked to the Diamond Shruumz microdosing candies
Federal officials are probing a death in a patient who may have consumed ‘microdosing’ candies now recalled across the US.
The FDA gave no further details on the individual, but said the fatality was ‘potentially associated’ with Diamond Shruumz products, which are sold in vape shops across the US.
At least 48 people have fallen ill after eating chocolate bars, cones and gummies made the the company in the past month, while 27 have been hospitalized with seizures, loss of consciousness and an abnormal heart rate.
Customers across the US are being urged not to consume the products and to either put them in the trash or return them to vendors for a full refund.
An investigation revealed the candies contained muscimol, a psychoactive chemical from the potentially toxic amanita mushrooms which can cause seizures.
Pictured above are some of the products that have been recalled over the illnesses
The candies are used to ‘microdose’, which involves taking very small amounts of a drug in order to test its physiological action while minimizing undesirable effects.
They were typically sold in smoke and vape shops, as well as retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as CBD or THC for $25 each.
In its recall notice, the California-based chocolate manufacturer said a number of customers had fallen ill after eating an entire bar at once.
They said: ‘It is crucial that all of our 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.’
The illnesses have been recorded across 24 states.
The states are: 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.
The chocolate bars and candies say they contain a ‘proprietary blend’ of mushrooms ‘with a kick’ to allow someone to microdose.
People have been hospitalized after eating ‘microdosing’ chocolate bars called Diamond Shruumz (pictured). People are being warned not to eat them
This does not include psilocybin, which is illegal in the US at a federal level, but does include other active compounds linked to better mood and wellbeing.
Mushrooms listed on labels include Lion’s mane, which has been linked to anti-depressive effects, Reishi and Chaga, which some say can help to boost mood.
It was not clear whether Amanita mushrooms — which are large and red — were also advertised as being in the products.
Among those who have been hospitalized by Diamond Shruumz is a 15-year-old girl from Arizona.
Her mother, Tina Griffin, wrote online: ‘Yesterday, my 15-year-old daughter and her 16-year-old cousin ate these Diamond Shruumz microdosing chocolate bars (not real psilocybin) and ended up on ventilators and are currently in the ICU at the children’s hospital.
‘I don’t want any other parents to have to go through this nightmare.
‘The night before they overdosed there were other overdosese that came in.’
The FDA first raised the alarm over Diamond Shruumz in early June, after receiving reports of illnesses from several states after consuming the chocolates.
It has published five updates since then, updating its illness tally and on its investigation into the cause of the illnesses.
The FDA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and America’s Poison Centers are investigating the outbreak.
