California officials warn consumers about the risks of eating wild mushrooms that may be poisonous. In over 14 months, there have been 1,038 reported cases where poisonous mushrooms were ingested. Some of these cases resulted in severe health issues including liver failure.
Generally, wild mushrooms are not allowed to be offered for sales. This is because of the difficulty in determining how to approve a 'wild mushroom expert'.
Generally, wild mushrooms are not allowed to be offered for sales. This is because of the difficulty in determining how to approve a 'wild mushroom expert'.
(A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, mushroom species picked in the wild shall not be offered for sale or service by a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT unless the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT has been APPROVED to do so.
(B) This section does not apply to:
(1) Cultivated wild mushroom species that are grown, harvested, and processed in an operation that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the operation; or
(2) Wild mushroom species if they are in packaged form and are the product of a FOOD PROCESSING PLANT that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the plant.
Annex - 3 3-201.16 Wild Mushrooms.
Over 5000 species of fleshy mushrooms grow naturally in North America. The vast majority have never been tested for toxicity. It is known that about 15 species are deadly and another 60 are toxic to humans whether they are consumed raw or cooked. An additional 36 species are suspected of being poisonous, whether raw or cooked. At least 40 other species are poisonous if eaten raw, but are safe after proper cooking.
Some wild mushrooms that are extremely poisonous may be difficult to distinguish from edible species. In most parts of the country there is at least one organization that includes individuals who can provide assistance with both identification and program design. Governmental agencies, universities, and mycological societies are examples of such groups.
Regulatory authorities have expressed their difficulty in regulating wild harvested mushrooms at retail. There are many different approaches in regulating the sale and service of wild harvested mushrooms. The differences in approach could be due to geography, the type of wild mushrooms that typically grow in a particular region and/or local/state laws that are enforced. The Conference for Food Protection (CFP) has attempted to develop a national model or standards for regulatory programs to address and recognize wild harvested mushroom identification. The difficulty in trying to get consensus on national model/standards lies in the question of what is the best national model/standard available that state/local regulatory authorities can apply in a meaningful way to ensure wild harvested mushrooms sold at retail are obtained from a safe source.
With the change in the codified text, the regulatory authority will have the flexibility to apply their laws and/or policies for wild harvested mushroom identification. At a minimum, when developing a wild harvest mushroom identification program, the following elements should be addressed:
• Developing resources & criteria to select wild mushroom species for service or sale,
Establishing record-keeping and traceability to assure safety of wild harvested mushrooms,
• Written buyer specifications that include:
a Identification by the scientific name and the common name of the mushroom species,
b. A statement that the mushroom was identified while in the fresh states,
c. The name and contact information of the person who identified the mushroom and the mushroom seller, and
d. A statement as to the qualifications and training of the identifier, specifically related to mushroom identification.
• Development of qualifications and training curriculum that could be used for further training of mushroom identifiers
In addition, the CFP has guidance material titled “Draft Model Guidance for Wild Harvested Mushrooms” posted on their website at www.foodprotect.org so state and local regulatory authorities can use the information to develop and implement their own wild harvested mushroom program. The guidance document is still a work in progress.
Refer also to the public health reason for §§ 3-101.11 and 3-201.1
Sierra Sun Times
http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/12636-california-department-of-public-health-urges-caution-when-collecting-and-eating-wild-mushrooms
California Department of Public Health Urges Caution When Collecting and Eating Wild Mushrooms
Last Updated: Thursday, 25 January 2018 11:38
January 25, 2018 - SACRAMENTO - As seasonal rains promote the growth of wild mushrooms, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is again reminding people that eating wild mushrooms can cause serious illness and even death.
"Telling the difference between wild mushrooms that are safe and those that are poisonous can be difficult for many people,” said Dr. Smith. “Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless they have been examined by a mushroom expert and determined to be edible.”
The most serious illnesses and deaths have been linked primarily to wild mushrooms known to cause liver damage, including Amanita phalloides (shown at left), also known as the “death cap” and Amanita ocreata (shown below at right), or “destroying angel.” A bloom of Amanita phalloides last winter resulted in 14 mushroom poisonings in California that required hospitalization. Three of these cases required a liver transplant.
According to the California Poison Control System (CPCS), 1,038 cases of poisonous mushroom ingestion were reported throughout the state from November 2016 to January 15, 2018.
Among those cases:
- 16 suffered a major health outcome, such as liver failure leading to coma and/or a liver transplant, or kidney failure requiring dialysis.
- 51 suffered a moderate health outcome, such as dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, or injury to the liver or kidney.
- 433 were children younger than six years of age. Usually, the children ate a small amount of a mushroom growing in yards or neighborhood parks.
- 522 were treated at a health care facility.
- 16 were admitted to an intensive care unit.
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