More outbreak patients found as FDA continues to investigate Salmonella infections

Federal investigators continue to search for a source of Salmonella Typhimurium while the number of patients in an outbreak increases.

As of July 3, there were 80 confirmed patients in the outbreak, up from 53 a week ago, according to an update from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency has not reported where the patients live or whether any have been hospitalized.

The FDA has begun traceback efforts, but has not yet reported what food or foods are being traced.

In other outbreak news, there are now at least 48 people who have suffered adverse reactions after eating microdosing chocolate, gummies or cones sold under the Diamond Shruumz brand. One person has died.

The FDA has found that the edibles contain dangerous chemicals found in mushrooms.

The sick people are spread across 24 states. Twenty-seven of the patients have had symptoms so severe that they have been hospitalized. Reactions include respiratory failure.

Other symptoms reported by patients include seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting.

All flavors of the edibles have been recalled by Prophet Premium Blends. The implicated products are sold online and nationwide at retailers, including those that sell hemp-derived (e.g., cannabidiol [CBD], delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) and smoke/vape products. 

In an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to cucumbers, the FDA has found untreated canal water was a source of the pathogen. The water was used by Bedner Growers Inc., of Boynton Beach, FL. The cucumbers were distributed to multiple states by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc.

As of July 2, there were 449 confirmed patients in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Of the patients interviewed, 70 percent reported eating cucumbers before becoming sick.

The FDA reports that none of the implicated cucumbers remain on the market and the growing and harvesting season for Bedner Growers Inc. is over the this year.

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