Wild Morel mushrooms poison diners in Montana

[California Flyway]

A number of diners got sick after eating Morel mushrooms at a restaurant in Bozeman, Montana.
I began commercially picking mushrooms on the north coast in 1979 and have never had a problem. I went to the sierra foothills to pick Morels and never had a problem, so it may be there are isolated popultions that have toxins. We usually dry and or cook fresh in pasta dishes. I was taught to only pick mushrooms you can absolutely ID by a very experianced friend. There is an old saying, "There are old mushroom pickers and bold mushroom pickers but there are no old, bold mushroom pickers".
CF
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/morel-mushrooms-food-poisoning-outbreak-montana/


HEALTHWATCH

Mysterious morel mushrooms at center of food poisoning outbreak​

BY KEELY LARSON
DECEMBER 13, 2023 / 5:00 AM EST / KFF HEALTH NEWS
A food poisoning outbreak that killed two people and sickened 51, stemming from a Montana restaurant, has highlighted just how little is known about morel mushrooms and the risks in preparing the popular and expensive delicacy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted an investigation into morel mushrooms after the severe illness outbreak linked to Dave's Sushi in Bozeman in late March and April. The investigation found that undercooked or raw morels were the likely culprit, and it led the agency to issue its first guidelines on preparing morels.

"The toxins in morel mushrooms that may cause illness are not fully understood; however, using proper preparation procedures, such as cooking, can help to reduce toxin levels," according to the FDA guidance.

Even then, a risk remains, according to the FDA: "Properly preparing and cooking morel mushrooms can reduce risk of illness, however there is no guarantee of safety even if cooking steps are taken prior to consumption."

 

[MAKAIRA]

My dad made a living with mushrooms and people asked him the answer was they are all edible once!

 

[California Flyway]

There have been some serious poisonings in California from European immigrants who pick mushrooms that look very similar to ones they picked and ate in their home countries. Unfortunately in cases they ended up being deadly Amanits Pantherena or Amanita Phalloides, the so called "Death Angels". A big salad would be served to a group and the next day they are all in the hospital awaitning liver transplants in great pain. Most die.

 

[Phytoplankton]

There have been some serious poisonings in California from European immigrants who pick mushrooms that look very similar to ones they picked and ate in their home countries.

Unfortunately, it still happens fairly regularly. There are several species of mushrooms that are only safe to eat if they're cooked, they contain heat labile poisons, however, Amanitas are not one of them!

 

[Luigi Daniele]

Undercooked.
I’ll bet they were fried.

 

[vizsla2]

My buddy lives part time there and said it’s the talk of the town (Dave’s). He knows some local shroomers there and they said these were not local, but sourced from China.

 

[vizsla2]

Even after people died and they were under increased scrutiny, they continued to fail inspections.
Cold foods, not kept cold enough, bad cleanliness, etc.
Labor shortages don’t help either. Speculation is they will fold.

 

[JRS]

Wild mushrooms are very dangerous. Send me a pin drop and I’ll eliminate them for you for free.

 

[letmwurk]

I ate at Dave’s about three years ago. Decent sushi.

 

[Winchester 1897]

Undercooked.
I’ll bet they were fried.

Yeah, almost raw.

Any morel gives me the craps anymore