Toxic Spinach Causes Hallucinations, Sickness to Over 100 People Across Australia

Toxic spinach has caused a widespread panic across Australia, forcing some supermarkets in the country to pull out their contaminated spinach products after cases of affected people quickly rise from dozens to over 100 in recent days.

Australia Spinach Contamination

(Photo : Image by Angeles Balaguer from Pixabay )

Local authorities warned Australians not to seek out spinach products as more than 130 people have already suffered symptoms, including hallucinations, after eating a range of contaminated fresh food items from stores like supermarkets, according to The Guardian. In particular, the authorities are urging the public not to avail and consume baby spinach products for a recreational high.

Local officials on Sunday evening, December 18, reportedly tested the said plant, believed to have originated from a farm in the state of Victoria and responsible for the large-scale recall of products containing spinach. Latest reports on Tuesday, December 20, show that multiple supermarkets have already recalled toxic spinach products in different parts of the country.

Officials instruct people to check and dump any of the recalled products, including salad and stir-fry mixes, which have been sold from both local and internationally-owner supermarkets. New Zealand is also reportedly coordinating in the recall of the spinach products.

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Toxic Spinach Symptoms

In addition to hallucinations, reported symptoms of the toxic spinach or spinach contamination are the following, as reported by The Guardian and other local sources:

•  delirium or confusion
•  dilated pupils
•  rapid heartbeat
•  flushed face
•  blurred vision
•  dry mouth
•  dry skin
•  fever

There was no immediate report of fatalities from the toxic greens. Dr. Brett Summerell, chief scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, stated it was hard to identify between many plant species when they were small. The scientist suspected toxic plants, including nightshades, could be responsible for the contaminated plant outbreak.

The people affected by the toxic plant are unable to see properly and they are experiencing mind-altering symptoms like the mentioned delirium and hallucinations, according to Darren Roberts, the medical director of NSW Poisons Information Centre, during an interview on local television on Monday, December 19, according to the New York Times, as cited by South China Morning Post.

Hallucinogenic Plants

Hallucinogens are chemical compounds that cause certain changes in one's perception, emotional state of mind, and awareness of space and time, which are medically defined as sensory delusions, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Hallucinogenic plants include the psychoactive fungi with potent hallucinogenic compounds include the well-known red and white-capped mushroom (Amanita muscaria) and the cereal grain fungus ergot (Claviceps spp.), the USDA says.

In the past, ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and Aztecs during the Mesoamerica period have used hallucinogenic plants as part of sacrifice rituals, with the likely aim of helping human sacrifices to withstand pain and suffering. These plants are also being used in modern medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry.

However, the consumption of the raw form and unfiltered amount of these hallucinogens can be either catastrophic to the health or deadly.

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