New Zealand Food Safety is “monitoring the situation” as two mushroom gummy products have been recalled in Australia, following reports consumers had been admitted to hospital.
In a notice to its website, Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) said the Uncle Frog’s Mushroom Gummies Cordyceps 36g and Uncle Frog’s Mushroom Gummies Lions Mane 36g were recalled over the presence of “unapproved novel food ingredients”.
FSANZ said the ingredients were lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms.
According to the South Australia Health Department, the gummies could cause “distressing hallucinations”, alongside a list of other symptoms.
“The signs and symptoms of toxicity include nausea and/or persistent vomiting, seizure-like activity and involuntary movements such as arms or legs twitching, and rapid eye movement, disturbing hallucinations, drowsiness or loss of consciousness, dizziness or lightheadedness, anxiety and a racing heart or pulse.”
FSANZ said: “Consumers should not eat this product. Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
“Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.”
There have been reports of hospital admissions in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria after people had eaten the gummies.
Kerry Chant, chief health officer at NSW Health, said five people had presented to hospital after experiencing “unexpected toxicity” from the gummies.
Yesterday, the South Australia Health Department said a teenager was found “unresponsive” earlier this month after eating the gummies.
Victoria’s health department issued similar warnings, urging consumers not to eat the products.
New Zealand Food Safety told 1News it was aware of the recall and was monitoring the situation.
“New Zealand Food Safety is aware of Australia’s recall of Uncle Frog’s mushroom gummies after several people were hospitalised after consuming the products,” New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said.
“Although the products do not appear to be for sale in New Zealand, we are monitoring the situation.”
‘Experience the multiverse’
Packaging on the recalled products promised consumers they would “experience the multiverse” and that the gummies were “infused with earth’s finest hemp”. The lion’s mane was made to “support memory and focus”, while the cordyceps would boost “natural energy and power”.
Rohan Bandil, the sole director of Uncle Frog and Oz Brands, has reportedly apologised for what had occurred but said there were “many other brands selling similar products”.
“We are really sorry that this happened to them. This was not the intention,” he told the Guardian.
“We were just intending to bring the product and sell it in the Australian market as similar products have been extremely successful in the global market.”