Federal investigators continue to search for a source of Salmonella Typhimurium as the number of patients in an outbreak increases.
There were 80 confirmed patients in the outbreak as of July 3, up from 53 a week ago, according to an update from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency did not report where the patients live or whether they have been hospitalized.
The FDA has begun traceback efforts, but has not yet reported which food or foods are being traced.
In other outbreak news: There are now at least 48 people who have suffered side effects after eating microdoses of chocolate, gummies or cones sold under the Diamond Shruumz brand. One person has died.
The FDA found that the edibles contained dangerous chemicals found in mushrooms.
The sick people are spread across 24 states. Twenty-seven of the patients have had symptoms so severe that they have been hospitalized. Reactions include respiratory failure.
Other symptoms reported by patients include seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness), agitation, abnormal heart rate, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting.
All flavors of the edibles have been recalled by Prophet Premium Blends. The affected products are sold online and nationwide at retailers, including those selling hemp-derived products (e.g., cannabidiol [CBD]delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) and smoking/vape products.
During an outbreak of Salmonella infections In connection with cucumbers, the FDA found that untreated canal water was a source of the pathogen. The water was used by Bedner Growers Inc., of Boynton Beach, FL. The cucumbers were supplied by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. distributed to multiple states.
As of July 2, there were 449 confirmed patients in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Of the patients interviewed, 70 percent reported eating cucumbers before becoming ill.
The FDA reports that none of the affected cucumbers are on the market and that the growing and harvest season for Bedner Growers Inc. this year is over.
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