Nearly 700 cases logged this season, following more than 1,300 in 2025
Nearly 700 poisonings recorded this season; guidance stresses collecting only known species and seeking urgent help for symptoms.
Event / Health
France Mushroom Poisonings
As of October 22, 2026, nearly 700 mushroom poisonings have been recorded in France this season. More than 1,300 were recorded in 2025, with about 3% classified as severe, one death, and three liver transplants. Health guidance advises foragers to collect only known species, have uncertain finds verified, avoid relying on smartphone apps, and seek immediate help if symptoms occur.
1 reported locations
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2026-10-22 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 20:21 UTC
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What happened
Foragers should only collect mushrooms they know well
Foragers should only collect mushroom species they know thoroughly, because some highly toxic species closely resemble edible varieties.
One death linked to mushroom poisoning recorded in France in 2025
One patient died from mushroom poisoning in France in 2025.
Symptoms after eating foraged mushrooms warrant urgent contact with poison control
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, tremors, or vision disturbances after eating foraged mushrooms require immediate contact with a poison control center or the emergency numbers 15 or 112.
Mushroom poisoning can cause severe health complications
Mushroom poisoning can cause hospitalization or death, severe digestive disorders, kidney complications, and liver damage that may require a transplant.
Foraged mushrooms should never be given to young children
Mushrooms gathered in the wild should never be given to young children.
Main causes of mushroom poisoning identified
Mushroom poisonings are mainly caused by confusing an edible species with a toxic one, poor storage of mushrooms, consuming specimens in poor condition, insufficient cooking, or eating too large a quantity.
Three mushroom poisoning patients received liver transplants in France in 2025
Three patients poisoned by mushrooms in France in 2025 received liver transplants.
Smartphone mushroom identification apps can produce misidentifications leading to poisoning
Smartphone mushroom recognition applications can misidentify species, and such errors can cause poisoning.
More than 1,300 mushroom poisonings recorded in France in 2025
More than 1,300 mushroom poisonings were recorded in France in 2025. Most cases were mild, and about 3% were classified as severe.
Uncertain harvests should be checked by a pharmacist or mycology association
Any doubtful harvest, including mushrooms given by another person, should be checked by a pharmacist or a mycology association. A harvest should not be eaten if any mushroom has not been identified with certainty.
Nearly 700 mushroom poisonings recorded in France in the current season
Nearly 700 mushroom poisonings have been recorded in France so far in the current mushroom-picking season.
Mushrooms should be cooked at least 20 minutes before consumption
Foraged mushrooms and store-bought mushrooms should be cooked for at least 20 minutes before eating, with exceptions including cultivated button mushrooms and truffles.
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