More patients added to toll in deadly outbreak traced to Diamond Shruumz edibles

The patient count in a deadly outbreak traced to edibles continues to increase with 145 patients having developed symptoms since the previous update this past week.

The Food and Drug Administration continues investigating Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, gummies, and cones. The outbreak has spread across 29 states, with 59 hospitalized patients. Two people have died.

All Diamond Shruumz products have been recalled, but the FDA has received reports that some stores are still selling them. The producer of the edibles, Prophet Premium Blends LLC, initially refused to issue a recall but eventually relented.

On Aug. 20, the FDA published a list of store names and locations known to sell Diamond Shruumz-brand products. Consumers who see the products available in stores or online should contact the FDA.

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.

The FDA has found several chemicals in the edibles that can cause serious symptoms and sometimes death. 

“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 in 15 chocolate bar samples.

Results in a table found here show different compounds present in different flavors of chocolate bars. Still, 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, less research exists on their interactions when ingested together. FDA and CDC medical officers interpret these test results to understand the health risks of ingesting these chemical substances and determine the appropriate next steps.

Additional testing for the Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars listed in the table 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 continue selling recalled Diamond Shruumz-brand products, you can report this information to the 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 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/more-patients-added-to-toll-in-deadly-outbreak-traced-to-diamond-shruumz-edibles/