Shroom Chocolates Recalled After Dozens of Illnesses, Hospitalizations

Microdosing mushrooms has grown in popularity in recent years, leading to an explosion of products like mushroom-infused chocolates for people to munch on. But that doesn't mean problems don't spring up in this burgeoning space.

California -based firm Prophet Premium Blends just initiated a recall on their Diamond Shruumz chocolates and gummies as the products contain muscimol, a chemical found in some mushrooms that "could be a potential cause of symptoms consistent with those observed in persons who became ill after eating Diamond Shruumz products," per NBC News .

It all started after the company received two complaints in May involving people who became sick after eating an entire chocolate bar; upon further analysis, they found "higher than normal amounts of muscimol" in their products.

The FDA said in a statement that 39 illnesses have been reported in 20 states, including 23 hospitalizations, after people consumed the products. The agency teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , poison control centers, and state and local agencies to investigate the situation. In those affected, this included seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting.

"Due to consumers becoming ill after consuming the entire chocolate bar and some products containing higher levels of muscimol than normal, 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," Prophet Premium Blends said on the Diamond Shruumz website.

Although the brand advertises its products as meant for microdosing, an FAQ on its website says it contains only legal mushrooms like "Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga," and doesn't induce psychedelic experiences like kinds that produce the psychoactive compound psilocybin.

If you have any Diamond Shruumz chocolates or gummies in your cabinet, don't risk any possible health problems.