Although it's unclear what the exact ingredients were in these gummies, it's highly unlikely that the manufacturer has grown the mushrooms they claim to contain. In many instances, dried mushroom products, or mushroom extracts, are not locally produced and have been purchased in bulk from an overseas source, with a great degree of variability in the quality and composition.

In addition to the fungal content, it seems likely that further pharmaceutical or psychoactive compounds have been added to produce some kind of effect. For example, lion's mane mushroom which was claimed to be present in one of the gummies, is often consumed as a gourmet product with no psychoactive effect. 

There has been an increased interest in fungi in the past few years with a subsequent increased incidence of small scale marketing of mushroom extracts on social media and via online brands. I would recommend that people use caution or entirely avoid consuming mushroom products with a claimed psychoactive or therapeutic effect from brands which may not have a strong quality assurance program in place. 

As psychoactive drugs become recognised as potential medicines in Australia, we continue to see unregulated products claiming to have health benefits (e.g. "Natural energy and power”). For many consumers, they appear to be an easier alternative to approved medicines, which can often require numerous hoop-jumping through the health system. However, there is little evidence to support the therapeutic effects of products like ‘Uncle Frog’s Mushroom Gummies’. Even worse, we have little information on what is in these products, making them dangerous. Despite what the companies say, the quality at which these products are manufactured is not up to the standard of the medicines we find at the pharmacy, or the food at our grocery stores.

We need to ensure that the public understands the difference between these products and registered medicines prescribed by a health professional. Not only in terms of their efficacy, but their risk of harms. 

At first read these reports sound pretty scary but while we should be rightly cautious this is an unusual case and the products have been recalled quickly. This is exactly what we would want to happen when a problem is identified in a product. Without further information speculating on what might be behind these symptoms is probably not helpful. 

I think the important message at this stage is that if you have bought these items throw them away - don’t eat them. If you have eaten these products and feel ill seek medical advice.

Many of us take supplements for many reasons but we don’t always know what we are taking. Supplements sold on the internet (especially from overseas) may not have been tested to the same level as we might expect we may not know where they came from what ingredients they contain or if they even do what they claim to. In a worst-case scenario as we have seen today they can even be potentially dangerous.

It is also worth remembering that just because something is 'natural' does not automatically mean it is good for you. Uranium is natural as are lead and mercury and bacteria and viruses. Many plants and fungi (including some types of mushrooms) also produce compounds that are potentially harmful to humans.

I know what looks like a quick natural fix is tempting but if you are feeling stressed or anxious the best way to safe and effective treatment is probably to talk to your doctor or health provider.

Functional foods - food ingredients that claim a therapeutic purpose - are fast becoming a preferred way for the public to try and achieve better health outcomes. This isn't a problem in and of itself, but often the governance, regulations and quality controls aren't keeping pace with that public demand.

Often a lot of these ingredients are becoming popular well before reliable supply chains can be developed. The ingredients as listed on the product are relatively safe, but adulteration or substitution can be a real problem. It is essential that companies work with regulators and get their products routinely verified and tested before going to market. There is a lot of growth in the functional food sector, and it is important we recognise that growth through appropriate support for regulations and quality controls.

In the wake of the Uncle Frog’s gummies recall, it should be noted that both lion’s mane fungus and Cordyceps are fungi used in traditional Chinese Medicine [see here and here], indeed there are a number of Cordyceps products on the TGA's Australian Register of Therapeutic goods. 

Lion's mane fungus is typically used for concentration and mental health, Cordyceps for 'energy boost'. Neither of the fungi (not strictly mushrooms) are associated with the side effects reported in the media reports. 

The Uncle Frogs website (and associated Facebook page) has vanished, so finding out what was purportedly in them is not possible, and I am working off screen shots of the packets, but the ABC web story on this event reports the possibility of THC in the gummies, while the company claims there is no THC in the gummies from independent testing (despite stating there is "broad spectrum hemp infusion” on the packets), the possibility that synthetic cannabinoids are present cannot be excluded at this stage .

It is also possible that, instead of the stated fungal species, other fungi have been inadvertently collected/substituted, which could have these effects. Until proper analysis is conducted, it is not possible to say what has happened.

Health authorities have recalled two products: Uncle Frog's Mushroom Gummies, one containing the fungi Cordyceps and the other the fungi lion's mane after a number of people have experienced unexpected toxicity.

The two fungi are unapproved novel foods and cannot be legally sold as food. The Food Safety Information Council recommends that if you feel unwell, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (National 24 hours a day)  or if seriously ill call Triple Zero.

If you have these products dispose of them safely out of the reach of children, especially as they are in attractive packaging that looks like confectionary. They may also contain hemp which has been approved as a novel food as long as it has low levels of THC.

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. 

It’s important to remember to buy any mushroom products you consume from a reliable retailer and leave the foraging to the experts.

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.