The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a food poisoning outbreak involving seizures and other severe symptoms and has warned the public not to eat the suspected products; specifically, mushroom-based chocolates and candies that are marketed as a way to “microdose” (implying a drug-like effect), but also claim not to contain psychedelic substances.

As of June 13, 2024, FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with America’s Poison Centers and state and local partners, have identified a total of 12 connected cases of illness, including ten hospitalizations, across eight states (Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina). Patients reported experiencing seizures, central nervous system depression (i.e., loss of consciousness, confusion, and sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper- and hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, intubation was required. The most recent onset of illness was June 9, 2024.

The products, including chocolate bars, cones, and gummies, are produced by the brand Diamond Shruumz. At this time, it is unclear what the actual composition of the mushroom-based products are, with conflicting information provided on product packaging and the Diamond Shruumz website. For example, the packaging for the Double Chocolate Chip Infused Cones reads “EXTREMELY POTENT!” and claims to cause euphoria, all thanks to a “proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms.” Meanwhile, in the “Labs” section of the Diamond Shruumz website, certificate of analyses produced by ACS Laboratory, a third party, are provided for the company’s range of products, which claim undetectable total levels of psilocybin and psilocin (both are psychedelics associated with “magic mushrooms”). The mushrooms that are listed as ingredients in Diamond Shruumz products, such as lion’s mane and ashwagandha, are well-known, legal, and are not capable of causing strong psychoactive effects.

Diamond Shruumz products can be purchased online and at locations nationwide like smoke and vape shops, gas stations, and other retailers that typically carry edible products containing hemp-derived compounds (e.g., cannabidiol [CBD] or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol [delta-8 THC]). The murky legal and regulatory status of recreational, possibly psychoactive edibles have been called into question with increasing frequency as state laws evolve and different substances begin to emerge on the market in the form of consumables.

Update, June 19, 2024: A total of 26 illnesses and 16 hospitalizations have been reported from 16 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee). FDA has been in contact with Diamond Shruumz about a possible voluntary recall, but discussions are still ongoing. As part of its investigation, FDA and state partners have collected multiple samples of Diamond Shruumz Chocolate Bars and is conducting analyses.

Update, June 26, 2024: FDA and state partners have collected multiple samples of Diamond Shruumz-brand products for testing and analysis. Additional sample analysis is ongoing, but as of June 25, 2024, test results for two individual chocolate bars collected from a retail store have identified the presence of the following undisclosed compounds:    

  • In the Diamond Shruumz Dark Chocolate Bar
    • 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-acetoxy-DMT, also known as O-acetylpsilocin or psilacetin)
    • desmethoxyyangonin
    • dihydrokavain
    • kavain
  • In the Diamond Shruumz Birthday Cake Chocolate Bar:
    • 4-acetoxy-DMT

Considered an alternative to psilocybin, 4-acetoxy-DMT is a is a semi-synthetic psychoactive drug that is ambiguously legal as a research chemical. Desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain are derived from the psychoactive kava plant, which is legal and unregulated in the U.S. (but is regulated in some other countries).

There are now a total of 39 cases of illness and 23 hospitalizations associated with consumption of Diamond Shruumz-brand products, affecting 19 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee).