Severe Illness Potentially Associated with Consuming Diamond ShruumzTM Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies

At a glance

CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), America's Poison Centers, and state and local partners are investigating reports of severe acute illnesses potentially associated with consuming Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies marketed as containing a proprietary blend of mushrooms.

Outbreak investigation summary

CDC and FDA have received reports of severe acute illnesses and other adverse effects following consumption of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies reported to multiple poison control centers across the United States.

As of June 24, 2024, 39 total illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations, have been reported in 20 U.S. states with ongoing efforts to identify other potential cases. No deaths have been reported.

On June 25, 2024, FDA released information regarding test results for product samples (see information below).

The cause of the reported illnesses is not known at this time. People should not eat, sell, or serve any flavors of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies, and should discard products that have been purchased. CDC, FDA, and state partners are working to determine whether other products are associated with adverse health effects.

CDC, FDA, and America's Poison Centers are continuing to monitor for cases of illness reported to poison centers nationwide. Any suspected cases or adverse effects after consuming any Diamond ShruumzTM brand products should be reported to the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222).

More information‎

Information about FDA's investigation, with current updates and images of the affected products, can be found on the FDA website, Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies (June 2024).

Fast facts

  • Total cases: 39
  • Hospitalizations: 23
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 20 (AL, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN)
  • Recall: Yes
  • Investigation status: Active

About the product

On June 27, 2024, Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA, initiated a recall of all flavors of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies.

Diamond ShruumzTM brand products have been distributed online and at retailers, including those that sell hemp-derived (e.g., cannabidiol [CBD], delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) and smoke/vape products nationwide.

Products containing psychoactive compounds such as cannabis or mushroom extracts are increasing in availability. These "edibles" are often sold as gummy candies, chocolates, or other snack foods. They might contain undisclosed ingredients, including illicit substances, other adulterants, or potentially harmful contaminants that are not approved for use in food.

FDA testing and analysis

As part of this investigation, FDA and state partners have collected multiple samples of Diamond ShruumzTM brand products for testing and analysis.

Additional sample analysis is ongoing, but as of June 25, 2024, FDA test results for two individual chocolate bars have identified the presence of the following:

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

There may be variability in test results across products with different formulations as well as potential variability across lots and batches of the same product. Additional testing for the above Diamond ShruumzTM-brand chocolate bars along with testing for other Diamond ShruumzTM-brand products is in progress. FDA and CDC medical officers are interpreting these test results to understand the health risks of ingesting these chemical substances and to determine the appropriate next steps.

For additional information about FDA testing and analysis, please visit the FDA website: Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies (June 2024).

What you should do

  • Do not buy, eat, sell, or serve Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies. Discard any product that has been purchased.
  • Do not consume chocolate, gummies, snack foods, or other edible products claiming to produce feelings of euphoria, hallucinations, or psychedelic effects. They might contain undisclosed ingredients that might be linked to severe illness.
  • If you do purchase edibles and other products that contain mushrooms, THC, or CBD, safely store them away from children. Children may mistake some edibles for candy.
  • Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. Signs and symptoms may include hallucinations, uncontrolled movements, fast or slow heart rate, high or low blood pressure, flushed skin, and gastrointestinal effects (such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain). Other severe adverse effects have been reported, including seizures, decreased level of consciousness, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, and respiratory failure.
  • Consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events related to these products to FDA MedWatch.

Symptoms

A variety of severe health effects have been reported after consumption of Diamond ShruumzTM brand products, including the following:

  • Seizures
  • Decreased level of consciousness
  • Respiratory failure

Other symptoms people have experienced include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Hallucinations
  • Uncontrolled movements
  • Abnormal heart rate (e.g., too fast or too slow)
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Excessive sweating or secretions
  • Flushed skin

Contact your health care provider or Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) if you have symptoms.

Information for clinicians and public health professionals

Clinical effects

Many hallucinogenic mushrooms (also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms") contain psilocybin, a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act that has a high potential for abuse. Psilocybin can temporarily alter a person's mood, thoughts, and perceptions.

Substances such as O-acetylpsilocin (identified during testing of above products), psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) all have similar chemical structures. Individuals who use these substances can experience hallucinations, visual illusions, and other sensory changes. Some patients may have adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, anxiety, agitation, lightheadedness, or tremor.

Kava is a plant (Piper methysticum) cultivated in some Pacific Islands. It contains the kavalactones mentioned above (desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain) and other compounds. Ingestion of kava can cause numbness of the mouth and skin, loss of coordination, dizziness, and sedation. Ingestion of kava with other substances known to cause sedation, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, can worsen sedation. Kava can also cause gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting. Chronic or heavy ingestion of kava has been occasionally associated with certain skin conditions and liver toxicity.

Management

Management of ingestions of these substances is supportive in nature. Patients may require benzodiazepines or other sedative medications for seizures and intravenous fluids or vasopressors for hypotension. Patients with major symptoms of sedation or seizures who are unable to protect their airway may require endotracheal intubation.

Additional information for clinicians and public health professionals can be found in the CDC Health Alert Network Advisory: Health Alert Network (HAN) – 00509: Severe Illness Potentially Associated with Consuming Diamond ShruumzTM Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies.

Resources

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Content Source:
National Center for Environmental Health