Jeonnam Forest Resources Research Institute Urges Caution Regarding Wild Mushroom Consumption
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeonnam Forest Resources Research Institute has urged special caution regarding the consumption of wild mushrooms during the summer season.
According to the Jeonnam Forest Resources Research Institute on the 24th, it is known that a total of about 1,900 species of mushrooms grow naturally in Korea. Among them, only about 400 species, or 21%, are edible, while the rest are poisonous mushrooms or have no culinary value.
However, due to indiscriminate gathering and consumption, accidents caused by poisonous mushrooms occur intensively from July to October every year, requiring caution.
According to the Korea Forest Service survey results, from 2012 to 2016, a total of 75 patients suffered from poisoning due to consuming poisonous mushrooms, and among them, 7 people died.
Poisoning accidents mainly occur from consuming poisonous mushrooms that look similar to edible mushrooms or due to incorrect common knowledge about whether mushrooms are edible.
Examples of poisonous mushrooms that resemble edible mushrooms include ▲ Geam mushroom (edible) and Yellow cluster mushroom (poisonous), ▲ Egg mushroom (edible) and Fly agaric mushroom (poisonous), ▲ Reishi mushroom (edible) and Red deer antler mushroom (poisonous).
Additionally, incorrect beliefs about mushroom edibility include ▲ brightly colored mushrooms are poisonous, white ones are edible, ▲ mushrooms that tear vertically are edible, ▲ mushrooms eaten by insects are edible.
Judging toxicity based solely on the appearance of mushrooms is very dangerous, so before consumption, one must consult an expert or use the ‘Know Poisonous Mushrooms’ application to verify.
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Kim Jaegwang, director of the Jeonnam Forest Resources Research Institute, said, “It is best to avoid consuming wild mushrooms as much as possible, and if symptoms of poisoning such as nausea or vomiting occur after eating wild mushrooms, you should visit a nearby medical institution with the mushroom for treatment. It is safest to purchase mushrooms cultivated by farms such as shiitake, flower mushrooms, and wood ear mushrooms.”
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