Additional illnesses reported in outbreak traced to edibles; more chemicals found in products

The FDA is continuing testing of Diamond Shruumz edibles and has found more products with harmful chemicals.

So far there have been 113 people sickened across 28 states, with 42 hospitalizations and two deaths associated with edibles marketed under the Diamond Shruumz brand. 

Patients have reported a variety of symptoms, including respiratory failure, seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting.

After initially refusing to recall products, Prophet Premium Blends LLC recalled all Diamond Shruumz chocolate bars, gummies and cones. As part of its recall announcement the company reported that the products contain muscimol, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

“To date, FDA has tested 19 samples of chocolate bars and one raw ingredient that was reportedly used in the manufacturing of some Diamond Shruumz brand products. Six of the 19 chocolate bars samples and the raw ingredient were found to contain muscimol,” according to the FDA’s outbreak update. 

“Muscimol does not appear in all products and cannot explain all the symptoms reported by ill patients who consumed the Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars.”

In addition to muscimol, FDA analyses of Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bar samples identified the presence of the following compounds:

• Acetylpsilocin (also known as 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 4-acetoxy-DMT, O-acetylpsilocin or psilacetin) was found in nine chocolate bar samples;
• Psilocin, a Schedule I-controlled substance, was found in four chocolate bar samples;
• Pregabalin, a prescription drug, was found in three chocolate bar samples; and
• Desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain (kavalactones found in the kava plant), were all present together in 15 chocolate bar samples.

Results in a table found here show different compounds present in different flavors of chocolate bars, but even for the same flavor of chocolate bar, there may be variations in what compounds are present.

Although these compounds individually have known effects when ingested, there is less research on the interactions between these compounds when ingested together. 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.

Additional testing for the above Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars is ongoing, and the product table will be updated as sample results, including results for cones and gummies, become available.

The Food and Drug Administration is aware that recalled Diamond Shruumz-brand products are still on the shelves at several smoke/vape shops, and at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC). The FDA is monitoring the firm’s recall to assess its effectiveness. 

The FDA is working with the National Association of Convenience Stores and the National Smoke Shop Association to increase awareness of the recall. All Diamond Shruumz-brand products have been recalled and should not be available for sale. Consumers should not purchase or consume any Diamond Shruumz-brand products. If you have seen a store continuing to sell recalled Diamond Shruumz-brand products, you can report this information to FDA.

Consumers are urged to check their homes for the recalled products and throw them away if they have them on hand.

Anyone experiencing adverse reactions after consuming any of the recalled products is urged to seek medical attention immediately, especially if they are having trouble breathing.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/08/additional-illnesses-reported-in-outbreak-traced-to-edibles-more-chemicals-found-in-products/