MUSHROOMS ARE POISONOUS TOO- TAKE CARE

Early this month eleven people died of mushroom poisoning in the Siliguri Hill district of West Bengal. This was not an isolated instance. Throughout the world thousands of people inadvertently consume poisonous mushrooms every year.

Why do they eat "questionable" mushrooms when one can buy edible ones from the market is a question that nobody can answer. Perhaps it is the thrill of the "hunt" or the desire to live dangerously.

In case of the hill people authorities do warn them to avoid consumption of mushrooms, as it is difficult to identify the non-poisonous varieties from the poisonous ones. However this is easier said than done. Mushrooms are a part of the traditional cuisine of the area and 95 percent of those that grow on the hillside are poisonous.

There are about 3,300 species of mushrooms found throughout the world and more than 2,000 species of mushrooms are harmless. A majority of the poisonous mushrooms produce chemical toxins and are not fatal to eat but can cause nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, or other disorders. A few can however cause death.

In some cases of mushroom poisoning the symptoms may not appear for several hours. The first symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, and weakness. Some toxins can damage liver while others can harm the kidneys. In most cases, unless immediate medical treatment is given, the victim can die.

There is no simple test to distinguish a non-poisonous mushroom from a poisonous one. Therefore, people should not eat a wild mushroom unless they are absolutely certain that it is harmless.

Each and every mushroom should be accurately identified as an edible species. There are no simple tests, which can separate edible species of mushrooms from its non-edible ones.

There are many species of wild and delicious mushrooms that grow naturally. Caution should be exercised as there are many species that are not edible and a handful contain potent toxins that can cause permanent organ damage or even death.

For your safety and enjoyment, follow the guidelines given below: (and always remember "when in doubt, throw it out!")