FDA Investigation: Lucky Charms Cereal Allegedly Causing 'Wicked' Illness; Hundreds Sick With Vomiting, Diarrhea

Lucky Charms may not be so “magically delicious” after all, as the Food and Drug Administration has opened an investigation after hundreds of people have claimed of becoming ill after eating the cereal.

According to the New York Post, the FDA is investigating why people have complained about becoming sick from eating the cereal, which is made by General Mills (GIS). Symptoms range from vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and green poop.

About 140 people said they became sick from eating the cereal from July 2021 to March 2022, with increased interest bumping to an estimated 400 consumers in recent days.

Consumers voiced their concerns about the Lucky Charms cereal on iwaspoisoned.com – a foodborne illness tracking website - prompting the FDA to look into the matter, the New York Post reported.

“The FDA takes seriously any reports of possible adulteration of a food that may also cause illnesses or injury,” an FDA spokesperson told the news outlet. “Depending on the seriousness of the problem, an FDA investigator may visit the person who made the complaint, collect product samples, and initiate inspections.”

The FDA spokesperson also said that complaints are discussed with company management during the inspections, although it was unclear if the FDA has spoken with General Mills.

Consumer complaints on iwaspoisoned.com included comments from one consumer who said: “Had horrible cramps and diarrhea for 2 days after murdering 1/2 of a box of lucky charms last Saturday. I still feel weak and dehydrated.”

Another said: “Within an hour of eating Lucky Charms, my son became quite ill. He had severe stomach pains & diarrhea which lasted 24 hours.”

Another consumer said: “I ate 2 bowls of lucky charms 2 days ago on April 3 2022 and about 2 hours later I started getting wicked sick! At first I wasn't sure what was making me sick and later in the evening my 15 year old son had 2 bowls of lucky charms and a few hours later he started getting wicked sick as well. Since then both of us have been vomiting, severe diarrhea, horrible stomach cramps and bad headaches!!”

General Mills told the Post last week that it did not believe its Lucky Charms cereal was making people sick, but added that there is an “ongoing review” of the matter.

As of Wednesday premarket hours, shares of General Mills were trading at $69.57, up 41 cents, or 0.59%.