Poisonous Mushrooms

The Victorian Chief Health Officer, Dr Christian McGrath, has issued an alert in relation to mushrooms.

The alert advises that:

• Poisonous mushrooms including the death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms, appear in Victoria during autumn, as the weather becomes wetter and cooler.
• Consuming even a single death cap mushroom may result in death.
• Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.
• There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.
• Mushrooms purchased from a supermarket, greengrocer or other reputable source are safe to eat.
• Remove any mushrooms growing in home gardens as young children and pets can easily eat them.

If you suspect you or anyone in your care may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Call the Victorian Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Australia wide) for appropriate advice.