A California company has recalled its mushroom-infused chocolates and candies that contain a chemical not approved for use in food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Consumption of the recalled Prophet Premium Blends Diamond Shruumz products has been linked to “a range of illnesses” in more than 20 states and one possibly related death, according to the FDA.
The agency announced last week that as of July 1, a total of 48 cases of the illness had been reported in 24 states.
“At Prophet Premium Blends, we prioritize the health and safety of our consumers above all else,” the Santa Ana-based company wrote in a statement on its website. “Recently, we have been made aware of incidents involving our product, Diamond Shruumz. With consumers becoming ill after consuming the entire candy bar and some products containing higher than normal levels of Muscimol, it is critical that all of our consumers refrain from ingesting this product while we, along with the FDA, continue our investigation into the cause of the serious adverse reactions.”
At the time of publication, the company had ceased production and distribution of all Diamond Shruumz products.
What is muscimol?
According to the National Library of Medicine, muscimol is “a member of the isoxazole class that…has been isolated from mushrooms of the genus Amanita.”
Mushroom Chocolate and Gummy Candy Recall Details
Prophet Premium Blends first announced on June 27 a recall of all flavors of its Diamond Shruumz products, including its infused cones, microdosing chocolate bars, and Micro- and Mega-Dose/Extreme gummies, because they contained muscimol, which the company and the government agency said could be the potential cause of related illnesses reported by consumers.
“Muscimol may be a potential cause of symptoms similar to those seen in people who became ill after consuming Diamond Shruumz products,” the recall announcement, posted on the FDA’s website, states. “Reported symptoms include seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, and high/low blood pressure.”
ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton explained that the chemical, derived from certain mushrooms, “can be incredibly toxic” at certain doses.
“The problem is that the dosage is not accurate and many people are exposed to these toxic levels without knowing it,” Sutton said. “These supplements are not subject to any FDA regulation.”
Where mushroom chocolates and gummy candies were sold
According to the FDA’s investigation into the foodborne illness, which began in early June, the products were previously available online and in person at various retail locations across the country, including tobacco and vape shops, as well as retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol or delta-8 THC.
“Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies, regardless of flavor. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products or return them to the company for a refund,” the FDA said last week.
Prophet Premium Blends added on its website that “retailers and wholesalers should discontinue use, stop distribution, quarantine the product immediately and contact their sales representative to initiate 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,” the company said.
Customers with additional questions may call the company directly at (209) 314-0881 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PDT.
Illnesses linked to recall of mushroom chocolates and candies in 24 states
As of July 1, illnesses associated with consumption of the recalled products have been reported in two dozen states, according to the FDA.
Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota have each reported one case of the illness. Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Ohio have each reported two cases of the illness.
Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky and North Carolina each reported three cases of the disease, while South Carolina reported four, Indiana reported five and Arizona reported six.
According to the FDA, 46 of the 48 people reported seeking medical care and 27 were hospitalized. The FDA said one death potentially associated with the illness is under investigation, but the agency has not yet released additional information about that person.
What you need to know about muscimol in some mushroom chocolates
According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine last month, psilocybin-containing mushrooms, such as those used in Diamond Shruumz products, “have potent pharmacological properties, including Amanita muscaria mushrooms, which contain the compound muscimol. Muscimol is psychotropic, meaning it can produce acute changes in perception, mood, cognition, and behavior. (It is) “highly toxic and can be fatal in high enough doses.”
According to these researchers, interest in psilocybin-containing mushrooms has seen significant growth among American adults since 2021.
“12.3% of American adults say(using) “Psilocybin mushrooms increased by 11.4% in 2022,” they wrote. “This makes psilocybin mushrooms the most commonly used hallucinogenic substance.”
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