Weed Accidentally Grown With Spinach in Australia Farm Makes 200 People Hallucinate

Last Updated: December 24, 2022, 11:27 ISTNearly 200 people in Australia ended up hallucinating and facing other symptoms due to the consumption of baby spinach contaminated with

weed. Days after Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) initiated a nationwide recall of multiple products containing baby spinach that was causing illness among people, the

culprit has finally emerged. The unsafe plant material that caused delirium, hallucinations and blurry vision among people in the country has been identified as thornapple, a type

of nightshade. It is believed that the weed was mistakenly harvested and processed along with the produce.Thornapple (Datura stramonium), also known as jimsonweed, may cause

symptoms such as delirium or confusion, hallucinations, blurred vision, flushed face, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and dry mouth and skin. Touching the thornapple plant can

result in dermatitis, headaches, and nausea in some people.As of December 18, more than 190 potential cases have been reported across the Australian Capital Territory, New South

Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Authorities anticipate more cases to be reported with greater public awareness resulting from the recall and media releases.So far, there have been

several hospitalizations. However, it is understood that a majority of the people affected are only experiencing symptoms for a brief duration and are recovering quickly.According

to The Guardian, Riviera farm, from where the contaminated baby spinach produce sprouted, has said, "the investigations have not identified any other potential chemical, herbicide

or other types of contaminant."The Victorian farm further said that it was conducting its own audit of the farm and weed.In a statement, FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert had said that

the national food regulation system worked collaboratively to pinpoint the source of the concerned baby spinach.Dr Cuthbert said Australia has a world-class food regulation system.

Incidents like this one occur infrequently. They pointed out that this incident has demonstrated that the food regulation system is ready to respond when incidents do happen.Read

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