The FDA restricts a psychoactive mushroom used in some edibles

The FDA restricts a psychoactive mushroom used in some edibles toggle caption Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/DPA/AFP via Getty Images Federal regulators are taking aim at a popular category of psychoactive edibles that contain an iconic red-capped mushroom in the wake of a rash of illnesses and even a few suspected deaths. In its warning letter to food manufacturers, the FDA notes these are sometimes marketed as "psychedelic edibles" or "legal psychedelics," and that "adverse event reports" prompted the agency to assess the mushroom's safety profile. Sponsor Message "I feel it's the right call," says Eric Leas, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Diego who has documented public health concerns around the mushroom. Those populate stores even though they're "not considered legal ingredients by the FDA," says Shawn Hauser, a partner at the Colorado-based law firm Vicente, which focuses on psychedelics, cannabis and novel natural ingredients like mushrooms. Sponsor Message "There have been warning letters around that, but they generally haven't been enforced unless there's unlawful drug claims, marketing to children or other public safety issues," she says.