'Disturbing hallucinations': 'Mushroom' gummies send people to hospital in Australia

The Australian and New Zealand Health Commission on Thursday warned against Uncle Frog brand jujubes containing “mushrooms” after at least five cases of hospitalization after consuming them.

Disorders noted by health officials include “disturbing hallucinations”, “sleepiness or loss of consciousness”, “convulsion-like movements and twitching of arms and legs” and “eye movements”.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine what these items contain. We strongly recommend that people do not ingest them,” said Darren Roberts, medical director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre.

At least five people have been hospitalized in the southeastern Australian state after ingesting the gummy, the state's directorate of health said in a statement on Wednesday.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which is responsible for improving food standards for Australia and New Zealand, said the agency, whose website was unavailable on Thursday, had recalled the products.

The Mama Frog brand of mushroom gummies came in two versions: one claimed to help develop “memory and concentration” and the other to provide “energy and power.”

The packets promised to “uplift your day” and the gummies were “infused with Earth's finest hemp”.

Laura Jones, a victim of the product in Perth, said she had to be admitted to hospital for a tachycardia attack. “My heart beats 160 beats per minute,” he says.

“It was a bit strange because eight gummies cost 50 Australian dollars, so it was very expensive,” he told National Public Television.