Baby marmalade with hallucinogens

Researchers from the University of Virginia have uncovered an alarming fact – the American candy manufacturer Diamond Shruumz decided to add hallucinogenic components to its products. Authorities are investigating the company, in whose marmalade candy found substance psilocin. During metabolism in the human body, it turns into the heavy hallucinogen psilocybin, which is officially classified as a drug.

As of mid-summer, Diamond Shruumz candy has affected 69 people in 28 states in the U.S., 36 of them hospitalized, with one death suspected. The problems began last fall when four adults and one child were urgently hospitalized after consuming candy containing Amanita muscaria mushrooms. It is a legal food additive, and at the same time a hallucinogen, containing the psychoactive compounds ibotenic acid and muscimol.

It was unknown exactly what the victims had eaten, so inspectors collected samples of all the candy on sale in the county. Among them was Diamond Shruumz marmalade, which was not labeled as containing hallucinogenic mushrooms, but laboratory analysis revealed psilocin in it. Further examination of the brand’s products brought many surprises – ephedrine, mitragynine, synthetic hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and the stimulant 2-phenethylamine were found in the candy.

Experts note that you should not trust the “legal” markings on the packaging of products. It just means that their manufacturers have the right to work with potentially dangerous substances, but the control over them is insufficient. Illegal substances may be added to products to achieve hallucinogenic effects. Or they may use certain brands of sweets as a way of covertly distributing drugs.