FDA Issues Health Warning for Bioactive Mushroom-Infused Snacks

FDA issued a health warning after a reported number of cases of adverse reactions linked to bars, cones, and gummies from the brand Diamond Shruumz. This company infuses products with legal bioactive mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga, which are not supposed to "induce any of those effects associated with the illegal counterparts and instead have been shown to potentially help with your overall health and cognitive function."

The company uses the term microdosing. According to the website, "Microdosing is designed to elicit subtle effects that enhance your day-to-day activities, meaning you will not face any vivid visions or similar. Instead, the focus is all about helping you to harness your cognitive, emotional, and physical best, unlocking your creativity and sharpening your focus. That is why many people adopt the practice to help them in their professional work and personal lives."  [More information on recommended usage below.]

So it seems that a person is supposed to determine some small level of product that they can take in order to achieve the effect.  From the website - "Individuals can typically anticipate the onset of effects within an average timeframe of 30 minutes to 1 hour after consumption. However, it’s crucial to note that this duration can vary based on unique factors, including the person’s body size and metabolism."

Could it be that people perhaps pounded down more than their body could handle?  Or was there some other compounds present that caused the ill effects.


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024
Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies (June 2024)
Do not eat, sell, or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz- Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 12
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: June 9, 2024
States with Cases: AL, AZ, IN, KY, MO, NV, PA, SC
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Current Update
June 11, 2024

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with America’s Poison Centers and state and local partners, are investigating a series of illnesses associated with eating Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies.

Escherichia albertii - an Emerging Foodborne Pathogen

Escherichia albertii has been identified as an emerging foodborne pathogen that causes watery diarrhea mainly in children and immunocompromised individuals.

• "Current data suggest that E. albertii might play a more significant role in global infectious diarrhea cases than previously assumed and is often overlooked or misidentified."
• "Early indications suggest that children below 10 years and immunosuppressed individuals with multiple commodities might be at higher risk, but outbreaks have also been reported in seemly healthy people Poor hygiene conditions especially during food preparation, consumption of raw or minimally cooked meat particularly poultry, and drinking untreated water seems to increase the likelihood of E. albertii infection."
• "E. albertii has been isolated from the environment, water, packed lunch, lettuce, salad, pork, chicken, giblets, mutton, duck meat, minced meat, and Damietta cheese indicating that this bacterium can be transmitted through food and water.
• "This bacterium is a close relative of Escherichia coli and has been frequently misidentified as enteropathogenic or enterohemorrhagic E. coli due to their similarity in phenotypic and genetic features."
• "Research has shown that E. albertii survives without growth below 4°C and grew rapidly at 20°C and 30°C in foods, especially in meat. E. albertii strains did not grow in well water and seawater at 4°C, 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C"

Recalled Soda with Undeclared Colors Catches Bad Press

A soft drink formulator issued a recall of product because it failed to list colors or sulfites on the label.

Charles Boggini Company, headquartered in Coventry, Conn., voluntarily recalled its “Pink Lemonade,” “Cola Flavoring Base,” “Yellow Lemonade” and “Yellow Lemonade X” — all of which are sold in one- and five-gallon containers to restaurants.  "The recall was announced in an enforcement report issued by the FDA, which was reported by Newsweek and DailyMail.com."

The “Pink Lemonade” was recalled after it was found to contain FD&C Red No. 40, which is a red dye that is used in a range of products including cosmetics, drugs and food. 

The “Yellow Lemonade” and “Yellow Lemonade X” products were found to have FD&C Yellow No. 5 — an artificial food dye that is often found in processed pastries, breakfast cereals and colored candy.

 The FDA requires manufacturers to declare when dye is used as an ingredient in their products.
The “Cola Flavoring Base” product that was recalled by Charles Boggini Company was found to contain sulfites, which are salts that are often used as preservatives in food products.
The company stated that it had "sent new labels to clients to attach to the products already on their shelves."

However, to read the headlines, you think that the company done something much worse.  USA Today and NY Post article was titled "Soda company recalls drinks sold at restaurants for chemicals, dye linked to cancer: FDA".  So the product was not recalled because of what it contained, but the fact that it was not properly labeled.  Many of the foods we eat contain yellow #5 and red #40.  These synthetic dyes are deemed by the FDA as safe for use in regulated amounts.

https://nypost.com/2024/06/05/business/charles-boggini-company-recalls-drinks-that-contain-dye-linked-to-cancer-fda/
Soda company recalls multiple drinks sold in restaurants across US that contain dye linked to cancer: FDA
By Social Links forAriel Zilber
Published June 5, 2024, 3:27 p.m. ET

FSIS Issues Health Alert for Chicken Product for Unlabeled Allergens Due to Mis-packaging

USDA FSIS issued a health alert for product labeled as bao Thai-style curry chicken (chicken product in a steamed bun) from Brett Anthony Foods of Elk Grove Village IL, due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as bao curry chicken may actually contain teriyaki chicken bao products, which contain soy and sesame, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint that a box labeled bao Thai-style curry chicken contained pouches of the bao teriyaki chicken.

FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to soy and sesame are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-ready-eat-bao-curry-chicken-products-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Ready-To-Eat Bao Curry Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
BRETT ANTHONY FOODS

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for product labeled as bao Thai-style curry chicken due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as bao curry chicken may actually contain teriyaki chicken bao products, which contain soy and sesame, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to soy and sesame are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.

Meat Imported from Uruguay Recalled After Missing FSIS Reinspection

South American Meat Inc., also known as 5Gogi LLC, an importer located in Commerce, Calif., is recalling approximately 20,111 pounds of various eligible frozen raw beef products that were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection upon entry into the United States.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products, and FSIS determined that the products were not presented for FSIS import reinspection.  Product was imported from Uruguay.   There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/south-american-meat-inc--recalls-frozen-raw-beef-products-imported-without-benefit
South American Meat Inc. Recalls Frozen Raw Beef Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2024 - South American Meat Inc., also known as 5Gogi LLC, an importer located in Commerce, Calif., is recalling approximately 20,111 pounds of various eligible frozen raw beef products that were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection upon entry into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FL Produce Company Recall Baby Arugula After Positive Salmonella Test

Green Life Farms of Lake Worth, FL is voluntarily recalling one lot of its 4-ounce containers of Baby Arugula because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in a single harvest of Baby Arugula. The company took immediate corrective action and additional harvests remain unaffected.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/green-life-farms-issues-voluntary-recall-baby-arugula-because-possible-health-risk
Green Life Farms Issues Voluntary Recall of Baby Arugula Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 07, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 08, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Green Life Farms
Brand Name:  Green Life Farms
Product Description:  Baby Arugula

Use of Almond Flour in Pie Instead of Wheat Flour Results in Allergic Reaction

New Seasons Market of Portland, Oregon is recalling Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart, because it contains undeclared almond. "After a staff member consumed the Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart and had a mild reaction but did not seek medical attention, the manufacturer of the product was notified of this potential allergic reaction. The manufacturer confirmed the product did contain almond flour, but almond was not listed in the product specification. New Seasons Market initiated this recall because the scale label does not declare almond."

So this appears to be a mis-formulation issue where almond flour was inadvertently used.  Also could be cross-contact where residual almond flour was not properly removed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-seasons-market-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-strawberry-rhubarb-bakewell-tart
New Seasons Market Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 04, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 04, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name:  New Seasons Market
Brand Name:  New Seasons Market
Product Description:  Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart

Recalled Infant Formula Also Found to be Contaminated with Cronobacter

Dairy Manufacturers of Prosper TX issued an health warning about its Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula product that was initially recalled on May 25th initially recalled on May 25th when the product was found to have not been produced under federal registration.  But now, this product has been found to have a health concern in that a sample of this product has tested positive for Cronobacter spp.  The product was produced by was manufactured at D.M. Mexicana Sa De Cv in Monterey, Mexico.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dairy-manufacturers-inc-notifying-consumers-about-safety-concern-crecelac-infant-0-12-infant-formula
Dairy Manufacturers Inc. Is Notifying Consumers About a Safety Concern With Crecelac Infant 0-12 Infant Formula (Lot # 24 039 1 CHE 352-1) That is Part of an Ongoing Recall – Expansion of Previous Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 03, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 04, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Infant Formula & Foods
Reason for Announcement:  Cronobacter spp. contamination
Company Name:  Dairy Manufacturers Inc.
Brand Name:   Crecelac
Product Description:  Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula

FDA Issues Health Warning on Apricot Powder Due to Amygdalin

Following receipt of a complaint and sample results from DSHS, the FDA notified Apricot Power of the results of amygdalin analysis and FDA's initial concerns. "On 5/8/24, the firm declined to recall the products. Upon additional assessment of the findings, the FDA held a follow up call with the firm to share the risks associated with these products. As of 5/24/24, the firm has continued to decline a voluntarily recall of these products. The FDA is issuing this safety alert to warn consumers."

The "analysis determined that the Apricot Power products identified with the lot numbers above contain high levels of amygdalin, which, when consumed, could lead to fatal cyanide toxicity. Mild-to-moderate symptoms of acute cyanide toxicity from the ingestion of kernels containing amygdalin include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes (cyanosis), weakness, and lightheadedness. Symptoms of severe acute toxicity include coma, seizures, stupor, dysrhythmias, cardiovascular collapse, and metabolic acidosis."

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-toxic-amygdalin-found-apricot-seeds
FDA Issues Warning About Toxic Amygdalin Found in Apricot Seeds
May 24, 2024

The FDA reviewed analytical packets from the Commonwealth of Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) from three samples collected by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), representing the products listed below, and found them all to contain the toxic compound amygdalin:

Apricot Power – Bitter Apricot Seeds – NGR FY24-015 (California Select) -Net weight 8oz (227g)
Apricot Power – Seeds Bitter Apricot Seeds – NGR FY24-016 (Organic Turkish Select) – Net weight 8oz (227g)
Apricot Power – Seeds Bitter Apricot Seeds – NGR FY24-017 (South African Select) – Net weight 16oz (454g)