PHOENIX — Arizona's poison centers are warning locals to be cautious about consuming mushroom-infused products after recent reports of individuals experiencing adverse side effects.
Banner Health said Monday there's been serious health risks associated with products sold by Diamond Shruumz that include individuals experiencing seizures, losing consciousness or other conditions requiring hospitalization.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Centros de envenenamiento de Arizona advierten sobre productos con infusión de 'hongos mágicos'
“We are urging the public to use extreme caution due to the very serious effects of these products,” said Maureen Roland, RN, Director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center in Phoenix.
Shruumz sells chocolate bars and gummies infused with mushrooms that can be purchased in Arizona.
"We’ve seen the same phenomenon of people eating the chocolate bar then seizing, losing consciousness, and having to be intubated," said Steve Dudley, director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center. "So far, we’re aware of similar cases in Nebraska, Utah, and Indiana, and we’re working with the FDA to hopefully prevent anyone else from becoming ill.”
Prescott Valley police said there have been two local cases of individuals ending up in the hospital after police found them unresponsive with Diamond Shruumz products next to them.
The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.
UP TO SPEED
What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.
The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.
How big is Maricopa County?
Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the largest park systems in the nation is also located in Maricopa County. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks that includes hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county’s seat is located in Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the census-designated 5th most populous city in the United States.
The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.