Officials warn of dangerous mushroom-extract candy

Crockett County — Crockett County Fire & EMS is warning residents to think twice before buying or eating candy, gummies or chocolates marketed with mushroom extracts, saying the products are being sold in and around the community and can cause unpredictable and serious reactions.

The agency's alert specifically flags products labeled with Amanita muscaria, muscimol, ibotenic acid, muscarine or a "proprietary mushroom extract." Officials said these items can look like ordinary candy, making them especially risky for children, teens, pets and vulnerable adults.

According to Crockett County Fire & EMS, possible symptoms after eating these products include nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, extreme sleepiness, loss of coordination, abnormal heart rate or blood pressure, seizures, trouble breathing or loss of consciousness.

Anyone who suspects a reaction should call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate guidance, officials said. Call 911 right away if the person is unconscious, having a seizure, struggling to breathe, severely confused or cannot be kept safe.

Officials advise against inducing vomiting and recommend saving the package or any remaining product to give to medical responders.

Crockett County Fire & EMS is urging households to store any edible products out of reach and out of sight, and to assume accidental ingestion is possible any time a product resembles candy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that Amanita muscaria, its extracts and certain related compounds are not authorized food ingredients and may be harmful. Public health investigators have also reported severe illnesses linked to mushroom-containing edibles, including gummies and chocolates, and some tested products were found to contain undisclosed substances, according to the alert.

Not all mushroom candy is safe. Read labels, avoid products with Amanita muscaria or unknown mushroom extracts, and get help fast if someone has symptoms.

SOURCE Crockett County Fire & EMS