At least six Georgians are among more than 50 people nationally who have become severely ill after consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones and gummies, according to public health agencies.
Around the nation, half of the 58 who were reported to be sickened from the microdosing candies last week have been hospitalized and one person in another state may have died as a result, health investigators say.
In Georgia, three cases were added to the tally Monday, and more could be added soon, as the Department of Public Health officials said they are are examining more potential cases.
Diamond Shruumz said on its website that its products were made legally, but that some wound up containing “higher ... than normal” amounts of muscimol, a psychoactive substance that comes from some mushrooms.
The products were sold online and also in vape shops and those that sell CBD products. While the products have been recalled since late June, it’s not clear whether all retailers have complied.
Symptoms people reported included hallucinations, uncontrolled movements, fast or slow heart rate, high or low blood pressure, flushed skin, and gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. They also included seizures, a decreased level of consciousness, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, and respiratory failure.
Prophet Premium Blends, the company that made Diamond Shruumz, says on its website that it has shut down production of Diamond Shruumz products and will issue refunds. No one responded to a reporter’s phone call and email to the company.
If people are wondering what to do, “Number one they shouldn’t buy the products; we have a suspicion they’re still found on store shelves,” said Georgia Department of Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam. “If they have them they need to discard them.”
Anyone who’s having symptoms after eating them should seek medical attention or call the Georgia Poison Control Center, Nydam added. The Poison Control Center is at 1-800-222-1222.
Healthcare providers should also report possible cases, both current and past ones, to the Georgia Poison Center because health authorities are trying to keep track.
Prophet Premium Blends touted the products as promoting “wellness,” saying they worked with “natural compounds that are derived from herbs, roots, and mushrooms.” It said all of its products were made legally, and posted laboratory results for each product on its e-commerce website so customers could see the levels of the chemicals detected.
According to DPH, such “edibles” sold as gummy candies, chocolates, or other snack foods frequently appeal to children and teenagers.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the addition of three more cases from Georgia to the tally, for a total of six, following a Georgia Department of Public Health announcement.
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