A nationwide recall is underway across the Tasman after several Australians were hospitalised from eating mushroom gummies.
Health authorities in NSW, Victoria, South Australia have reported multiple cases of people suffering serious side effects after consuming the gummies by Australian business Uncle Frog, which sourced the products from the US.
A teenage boy from South Australia was found unresponsive after consuming several of the gummies and at least five people have been hospitalised across NSW and several in Victoria after experiencing "unexpected toxicity" when consuming the 'cordyceps' and 'lion's mane' flavours.
People who ate the gummies suffered symptoms including seizures, twitching, hallucinations, anxiety, dizziness, loss of consciousness, a racing pulse, nausea and vomiting.
Perth woman Laura Jones told ABC Australia she started experiencing disturbing symptoms within an hour of taking just one gummy and needed to be rushed to hospital with an accelerated heart rate.
"I felt, in all honestly, like I was going to die. I was thinking, 'What is going to happen to the kids?'"
She said her anxiety had gotten worse in the weeks since.
"My heart rate was elevated for two days afterwards.
"I'm quite traumatised by the whole thing. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
Another customer told ABC they tested positive for THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis plants, after eating the gummies.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand on Wednesday issued a recall of the two flavours. They do not appear to be sold in New Zealand.
The sole director of the company, Rohan Bandil, has now spoken out, telling The Guardian he's really sorry and "this was not the intention".
"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," he said.
Bandil claimed he had consulted widely before distributing the gummies and there were "many other brands selling similar products".
Any Aussies that still have the gummies are being urged to bin them.
Newshub
