As the popularity of edible products containing mushrooms and other psychoactive ingredients continues to rise, employers need to be vigilant about the potential risks these substances pose in the workplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an urgent warning after reports of severe illnesses linked to mushroom-infused chocolates and gummies.

While many employees might be familiar with traditional snacks and treats, the rising trend of "microdosing" edible products is increasingly making its way into workplace environments. These products often include psychoactive substances that can cause unexpected and severe reactions, posing a serious risk to both the health and safety of employees.

What Happened?

The CDC’s warning follows several reports of individuals becoming seriously ill after consuming one particular company’s chocolates, cones, and gummies; now, there are multiple types of these products on the market. These products are marketed as being for microdosing, a practice where small amounts of psychoactive substances are consumed to provide benefits like relaxation without causing extreme intoxication. However, the symptoms caused by these products have raised alarms. In some cases, individuals suffered seizures, muscle stiffness, abnormal heart rates, abdominal pain, and even required hospitalization.

What makes this even more concerning is that products like these often contain undisclosed or potentially harmful ingredients. They are typically sold as dietary supplements, which fall under less stringent regulations than food or drugs, leading to a lack of quality control. This means that what’s in the package may not always match what’s on the label, which could include illegal substances or harmful contaminants.

The Risk to Employers

For small business employers, the growing availability of these types of products could present a significant challenge. Whether these edibles are brought to work as a personal choice or shared with colleagues, their presence in the workplace can lead to serious consequences, including:

• Health Risks: Employees who unknowingly consume these products could experience adverse health reactions, which could impact their ability to perform their jobs or require medical attention.
• Workplace Safety: Psychoactive substances can impair judgment, reaction times, and motor skills, creating potential safety hazards, particularly in environments where employees operate machinery or drive company vehicles.
• Legal Issues: Depending on where your business is located, having psychoactive substances in the workplace could violate workplace policies, create liability issues, or even breach state and federal laws related to substance use.

What Can Employers Do?

As an employer, you can take several steps to protect your workplace from the potential dangers of edible products:

1. Educate Your Employees: Make sure your team understands the risks of consuming unknown or unregulated products. Encourage them to be cautious about what they bring into the workplace.
2. Update Workplace Policies: Ensure that your employee handbook and workplace policies specifically address the use of any psychoactive substances or edibles on company premises, including those that may not be obvious at first glance.
3. Stay Informed: As new products enter the market, continue to educate yourself about potential risks. Regulatory bodies like the CDC and FDA frequently issue warnings about unsafe products, and staying updated can help you take timely action if needed.
4. Monitor Workplace Health and Safety: Watch for signs that employees may be under the influence of unknown substances. If someone appears ill or impaired, address the situation promptly, ensuring they receive medical attention if necessary.

The rising trend of edible products with psychoactive ingredients could present serious risks to your business. Small business employers need to be proactive in preventing the use of unregulated or potentially harmful substances in the workplace. By staying informed, updating policies, and educating employees, you can help ensure a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace for everyone.

Sources:

CDC warns of illnesses linked to mushroom chocolates and gummies. (2024, June 14). [Video]. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-warns-severe-illnesses-linked-mushroom-chocolates-gummies-rcna156836

Health Alert Network (HAN) - 00509 | Severe Illness Potentially Associated with Consuming Diamond ShruumzTM Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00509.html

Walker, H. L., Roland, M., Dudley, S., Komatsu, K., Weiss, J., Dillard, J., Lin, H., Rust, L., Plummer, T., Berg, R., Everett, S., Chang, A., Yeh, M., Daniel, J., & Brady, S. (2025). Notes from the Field: Severe Health Outcomes Linked to Consumption of Mushroom-Based Psychoactive Microdosing Products — Arizona, June–October 2024. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 74(1), 14–16. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7401a3