CALIFORNIA - Mushroom foraging is a popular activity enjoyed by thousands of people. However, it can prove as dangerous as it is fun, warns California Poison Control System (CPCS). Serious illness and even death can happen if people don’t make sure the mushrooms are not poisonous before eating them.The most serious illnesses and deaths have been linked to mushrooms that cause liver damage, including the Amanita phalloides or “death cap” mushrooms. These, along with the “destroying angel” mushroom or Amanita ocreata, are found abundantly throughout California.A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that more than 1,300 people were treated in Emergency Departments for accidentally eating a poisonous mushroom. The report also found that
