Chief health officer warns Victorians over foraging for wild mushrooms

The state’s top health adviser has warned poisonous mushrooms are now in season and urged Victorians to be extremely cautious when foraging this autumn; as the mushroom murder trial continues in the state’s east.

Victorians are being warned that poisonous fungi, including the dangerous death cap mushroom are in season and are urging people to be careful when foraging during autumn.

The state’s chief health officer, Dr Christian McGrath, issued the warning on Tuesday, cautioning that multiple varieties of dangerous mushrooms were springing up at locations across the state amid wetter autumn weather.

It came as the mushroom murder trial continues in the state’s east, with Erin Patterson accused of murdering her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, with a mushroom meal at her Leongatha home, in July 2023.

Death cap mushrooms are dangerous for adults, children and pets. Picture: Supplied

Dr McGrath warned weather conditions were ripe for wild mushrooms including the deadly death cap mushrooms and yellow-staining mushrooms which can cause poisoning can include stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

She said they were dangerous for adults, children and pets and could be found in parks as well as people’s backyards.

“Adults and children should not touch wild mushrooms with their bare hands, let alone eat them, and animals should be kept well away from them,” Dr McGrath said.

“Anyone who collects and consumes wild mushrooms of unknown species is putting themselves at risk of potential poisoning and serious illness. Consuming a death cap mushroom can be fatal.”

There are currently no home tests available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.

There are currently no home tests available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.

All wild mushrooms from gardens should be disposed of using gloves and placed into landfill bins, not green bins.

She also recommended people only eat mushrooms bought from the supermarket, greengrocer or another reputable source.

“Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms.” Dr Christian McGrath said.

Multiple deaths have been reported from suspected mushroom poisoning in Victoria in recent years.

In April 2024, 53-year-old Rachael Dixon, of Ringwood North, went into cardiac arrest and died after allegedly drinking a hallucinogenic concoction prepared from wild mushrooms.

If a person has trouble breathing, collapses, is having a fit or is suffers an anaphylactic reaction, immediately call triple-0 for an ambulance. If your pet has consumed mushrooms you can contact the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 for advice.