Mushroom foraging safety: Experts warn against plastic bag use

Health experts are issuing warnings regarding mushroom foraging safety in France, where poison control centers report significant numbers of seasonal intoxications. Dietician-nutritionist Caroline Seguin notes that 500 poisonings related to foraging have already been recorded since July, with a peak expected in October.

A critical safety error identified is the use of plastic bags for transporting harvested mushrooms. Because mushrooms are highly water-rich, storing them in plastic promotes moisture buildup and rapid decay, which can lead to spoilage or health risks. Experts recommend avoiding washing mushrooms under water, as they absorb liquid like sponges; instead, they should be cleaned using a cloth, brush, or absorbent paper.

To ensure safety, foragers should only collect species they can definitively identify and prioritize specimens that are firm and unaltered. Once home, mushrooms should be stored in the refrigerator away from other foods and consumed within two days of collection.