Warning follows an investigation by CDPH and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
SACRAMENTO– On November 22, 2024, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning to consumers about PolkaDot brand Mushroom Magic Blend Chocolate Bars containing ingredients similar to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule I drugs that contain psychoactive chemicals.
According to CDPH, these chocolate bars have the potential to cause severe adverse health effects such as illness, hospitalization, and/or death due to unintentional misuse and overuse, as well as interactions with other medications and underlying health conditions. These products should not be consumed and may be particularly dangerous to young children who could mistake them for regular chocolate bars.
While no illnesses have yet been reported, CDPH is concerned that individuals looking for psychedelic mushroom products for therapeutic effects, run the risk of serious or life-threatening illness if they consume this product.
CDPH investigators and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the PolkaDot brand chocolate bars that were labeled as containing an unsafe food additive, amanita muscaria, a type of mushroom. Laboratory testing determined that these chocolate bars contained an additional synthetic psychoactive drug. Over $3 million worth of PolkaDot brand chocolate bars were embargoed and voluntarily destroyed. The responsible firms may be subject to further enforcement action including civil or criminal penalties pending additional investigational work.
“The California Department of Public Health appreciates the joint investigative work conducted with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Partnerships like this play a big role in the CDPH’s efforts to protect the public from foods that may be unsafe,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, Dr. Tomás J. Aragón.
“CDPH investigators work to enforce laws that are in place to protect Californians from harm, including laws pertaining to mislabeled and potentially harmful products,” said California Association of Food and Drug Investigators (CAFDI) President Joel Lambert. “I would like to recognize CDPH Investigators Stys, Araiza and Supervising Investigator Zugsmith for their work on this investigation.”
The adulterated chocolate bars were 2.1 ounces each and produced in multiple flavors. The following flavors were laboratory tested and determined to be adulterated:
- Belgian milk chocolate caramel peanut twist,
- Belgian milk chocolate intense dark, and
- Belgian milk chocolate Maui coconut twist.
These chocolate bars were sold to retailers such as smoke shops and online directly by the manufacturer. Distribution throughout California and into other states is likely.
For more information, please see CDPH press release here.
