FDA investigates reports of illness linked to Lucky Charms

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into reports that consumers have become ill after eating Lucky Charms, a toasted oat and marshmallow cereal made by General Mills.

The agency confirmed that it had received “hundreds” of reports related to Lucky Charms this year through its adverse event reporting system.

According to iwaspoisoned.com, where consumers have been submitting accounts of illness after eating the cereal, there are now reports of over 4,500 sick. Symptoms detailed on the website include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

“The FDA takes seriously any reports of possible adulteration of a food that may also cause illnesses or injury,” the FDA said in a statement. “Complaints of a less serious nature or those that appear to be isolated incidents are monitored and the information may be used during a future inspection of a company to help the FDA identify problem areas in a production plant.”

A message posted by Lucky Charms’ Twitter account said: “Food safety is our top priority. We take your concerns very seriously. 

“Through our continuing internal investigations, we have not found any evidence of consumer illness linked to the consumption of Lucky Charms. Please send us a DM [direct message] so that we can gather additional details.”