Mushroom pickers warned over poisonous varieties

The national agency for the safety of food, environment and work (l'Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail (ANSES)) has today renewed its usual warning to amateurs to be extremely careful when ingesting any wild mushrooms, and to follow advised guidelines when picking.

Mushroom picking in forests is an annual French tradition, with many people going on the hunt for varieties such as ceps (cèpes), boletes (bolets), and chanterelles (girolles).

However, thousands become ill every year after ingesting non-edible varieties, with consequences including severe problems with digestion and the kidneys, as well as potential liver failure requiring a transplant. Some poisonings can be fatal.

Anyone who suffers shaking, vision problems, nausea, or vomiting within 12 hours of eating wild mushrooms should immediately call the emergency services - the SAMU (Service d'aide médical urgente) by dialling 15 - or one of 10 anti-poison centres across France.

French pharmaciens are trained to identify edible mushrooms, so if in doubt, check with your local pharmacy first.

The agency is also calling on potential pickers to remember that the practice is legally regulated, with anyone breaking the rules of where and how to pick liable to a fine of up to €750.

Advice for mushroom pickers includes:

• Avoid picking near anywhere polluted, such as next to busy roads, in motorway service stations or industrial parks
• Only eat mushrooms that you know for sure are edible, and remember that many edible varieties can look very similar to poisonous kinds
• Only pick varieties that appear fresh, and eat them within two days of picking
• If in doubt, check with your local pharmacy if a mushroom is edible, and do not pick or eat any variety of which you are not certain