Californians Warned Not To Eat Wild Mushrooms After Poisonings

California health authorities urge residents to avoid wild mushrooms after one death and 21 poisonings from amatoxin. The California Poison Control System linked all cases to death cap mushrooms between mid-November and early December. Both children and adults suffered severe liver damage, with one patient potentially needing a liver transplant. Death caps rank among the world’s most toxic mushrooms, causing liver and kidney failure from small amounts. They flourish in California near oak and pine trees, especially during rainy seasons. Monterey and San Francisco Bay area hospitals reported increased mushroom-related cases recently. The mushrooms appear two to six inches tall with yellowish-green caps. Cooking or freezing cannot eliminate the poison. Officials recommend purchasing mushrooms only from trusted stores or commercial growers. (Story URL)