Australian mushroom gummies recalled after health scare

An Australian producer of mushroom gummies must close its business. The Food Standards Agency has ordered the recall of two types of gummies containing exotic mushrooms, following health issues reported by customers who tried the unique treats.

Food producers worldwide are competing to create new and attention-grabbing products: large ball-shaped ice cream, extra strong coffee with ashwagandha, waffles shaped like penises and vaginas, and sweets with unusual flavors. The goal is to stir controversy and attract customers' attention. The Australian company Uncle Frog almost succeeded in this.

The Australian company Uncle Frog aimed to conquer the candy market with its first two products, designed to provoke controversy and curiosity: mushroom-flavored gummies featuring cordyceps and lion's mane. These mushrooms are known for their extraordinary properties, including increasing libido, boosting the immune system, reducing stress, fighting heart, kidney, and lung diseases, and having anti-cancer effects. Additionally, the gummies were supposed to contain "1,000 mg of the best hemp in the world per serving," marketed as providing a "multiverse experience." Despite these boasts, the products have now been recalled.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued an order on Wednesday, June 26, to recall the gummies due to multiple cases of hospitalization of individuals who consumed the sweets. A teenager from South Australia was found unconscious after eating a few gummies. In New South Wales, at least five people were hospitalized after experiencing symptoms of poisoning, including hallucinations, seizures, involuntary tremors, anxiety, dizziness, loss of consciousness, rapid heart rate, nausea, and vomiting.

Both the Instagram account and website of the producer of the controversial gummies have been taken down. A message on the official site states: "Customers shouldn’t eat or open this product and should dispose of it safely or return it back to us. Please contact and email us at support@unclefrog.com.au or reply back to this text message for safe disposal instructions and reimbursements. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Kind Regards, Uncle Frog."

Dr. Brett Summerell, Chief Scientist of the Botanic Gardens in Sydney, emphasized to The Guardian that all mushroom products should come from verified and trusted sources. He remarked, "Although it’s not clear the products do contain any fungal material, my concern is people will want to go out and attempt to harvest these fungi for themselves. A lot of species that grow in the wild can be toxic or even deadly. They’re often difficult to identify and it’s safest to steer clear of them."