FDA Announces Death Following Investigation Into Microdosed Candy Recall

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) investigation into recalled Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, cones and gummies now includes one death, the agency said Tuesday.

Last week, Prophet Premium Blends recalled all of its Diamond Shruumz edible products sold nationwide because they contained toxic levels of a chemical found in certain mushrooms, consistent with symptoms that have now struck 48 people in 24 states.

The recall involves Diamond Shruumz cones, candy bars and gummies, both micro- and mega/extreme doses, “because these products contain muscimol, a chemical found in amanita mushrooms,” the Santa Ana, Calif.-based company said in a recall notice posted Friday by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Muscimol may be a potential cause of symptoms similar to those seen in people who became ill after consuming Diamond Shruumz products,” the company said. Reported symptoms include seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, and hyper/hypotension.

According to the FDA, 46 of the 48 people reported seeking medical care, and 27 of them were hospitalized. “One death potentially associated with this illness is under investigation,” the agency said.

The states that have recorded cases 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.

Friday’s recall came more than two weeks after the FDA warned consumers against consuming Diamond Shruumz microdosed chocolate bars, warning that People in four states have fallen ill, some of whom had to be intubated.

The 22 recalled products were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail order. See the full list here.

On May 27, 2024, Prophet Premium Blends received two complaints from people who became ill after eating an entire chocolate bar, prompting the company to review an analysis of its ingredients, which “showed higher than normal amounts of muscimol.”

The company has stopped producing and distributing the Diamond Shruumz product line as it and the FDA continue to investigate the cause of the serious adverse reactions, Prophet Premium Blends said.

Individuals who have purchased Diamond Shruumz products are urged to stop using them and contact the company at 209-314-0881 or via email at [email protected] with their order number to initiate a refund.