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Warning to wild mushroom pickers Warning to wild mushroom pickers in Scotland
(about 9 hours later)
Wild food foragers are being warned to be particularly careful when picking mushrooms because of a rise in cases of fungi poisoning.Wild food foragers are being warned to be particularly careful when picking mushrooms because of a rise in cases of fungi poisoning.
Scotland has a particularly rich supply of wild mushrooms.Scotland has a particularly rich supply of wild mushrooms.
But this year experts expect to see an increase in the number of people who accidentally poison themselves.But this year experts expect to see an increase in the number of people who accidentally poison themselves.
Scottish Natural Heritage's fungus expert Dr David Genney said: "Never eat a mushroom unless you know exactly what it is."Scottish Natural Heritage's fungus expert Dr David Genney said: "Never eat a mushroom unless you know exactly what it is."
He said: "Although not many species of fungi are deadly poisonous, some deadly poisonous species can be quite abundant."He said: "Although not many species of fungi are deadly poisonous, some deadly poisonous species can be quite abundant."
In recent years, TV chefs such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have encouraged food-lovers to pick wild mushrooms, which can be delicious and sell for a premium in shops and restaurants.In recent years, TV chefs such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have encouraged food-lovers to pick wild mushrooms, which can be delicious and sell for a premium in shops and restaurants.
However this year alone the National Poisons Information Service has been contacted by medics seeking advice on 84 suspected cases of mushroom poisoning.However this year alone the National Poisons Information Service has been contacted by medics seeking advice on 84 suspected cases of mushroom poisoning.
Cases noticeably increase in the autumn when mushrooms are most abundant.Cases noticeably increase in the autumn when mushrooms are most abundant.
Dr Genney encourages foraging for wild mushrooms, as long as people take care.Dr Genney encourages foraging for wild mushrooms, as long as people take care.
He said: "There are a small number of really good edible species which, with a little bit of training, you can identify easily.He said: "There are a small number of really good edible species which, with a little bit of training, you can identify easily.
"I really recommend going out into the wild and getting something which is tasty."I really recommend going out into the wild and getting something which is tasty.
"However, there are also a small number which are deadly poisonous."However, there are also a small number which are deadly poisonous.
"The good thing is that, because there are not that many different types of poisonous fungi, you can learn which ones they are.""The good thing is that, because there are not that many different types of poisonous fungi, you can learn which ones they are."
The most famous case of mushroom poisoning in recent years occurred in the Highlands in 2008, when the author of the Horse Whisperer and his family accidentally ate deadly webcaps, thinking they were ceps.The most famous case of mushroom poisoning in recent years occurred in the Highlands in 2008, when the author of the Horse Whisperer and his family accidentally ate deadly webcaps, thinking they were ceps.
Nicholas Evans, his wife and her brother all had to have kidney transplants.Nicholas Evans, his wife and her brother all had to have kidney transplants.
The National Poisons Information Service, which is part of the NHS and offers expert advice to frontline medical staff, said it expected a rise in cases of mushroom poisoning compared to last year.The National Poisons Information Service, which is part of the NHS and offers expert advice to frontline medical staff, said it expected a rise in cases of mushroom poisoning compared to last year.
By the end of 2013, the service had received 237 inquiries related to fungi.By the end of 2013, the service had received 237 inquiries related to fungi.