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Recalled microdosing product causes deaths in North Dakota and 48 illnesses nationwide • Daily Montanan

A person in North Dakota has died after consuming recalled microdosing candies that have been linked to illnesses across the country, the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.

The death is currently being investigated by state authorities, the Poison Control Center and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA issued a recall of some Prophet Premium Blends Diamond Shruumz products on June 28. The products include microdose chocolate bars, spice-infused wafers, and microdose and megadose/extreme dose gummy bears.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the products are marketed with a proprietary mushroom blend.

As of July 1, 48 illnesses, including 27 hospitalizations, had been reported in 24 states, according to the CDC. North Dakota is the only state where a death is under investigation, the agency said. According to the CDC, one person has been reported ill.

North Dakota authorities are warning the public because the recalled products may still be available online, in stores that sell hemp products, or in smoking and e-cigarette shops, said Michelle Dethloff, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology.

The products are not illegal in North Dakota, but are neither approved nor regulated by the state, Dethloff said.

The products were sold in retail stores across Montana, including two locations in Yellowstone County, and are also available online.

For privacy reasons, authorities did not provide information about when and where in North Dakota the death occurred or how old the person was. Dethloff said the deceased was an adult. The exact cause of death is still under investigation.

The cases of illness reported nationwide are severe, Dethloff said. Reported symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, abnormal heart rate, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.

People who suspect poisoning can call the Poison Center at 800-222-1222.

This article was originally produced by the North Dakota Monitor, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network that includes the Daily Montanan and is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization supported by grants and a coalition of donors.

Darrell Ehrlick in Montana contributed to this report.

Anna Harden

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