What could be more relaxing and rewarding than a walk in the woods in search of mushrooms? Collecting them is simple, recognizing them less. Given the danger of some species it is advisable to have them analyzed by experts. The Sian (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service) South Sardinia of the Prevention Department has activated, through the South Sardinia Mycological Inspectorate, the verification of the edibility of spontaneous epigean mushrooms intended for wholesale, retail and public administration. exercises, as well as mushrooms intended for personal consumption. This is to protect both beginners but also the most experienced gatherers as among the many species of mushrooms it is always possible to find some inedible, sometimes poisonous and potentially deadly.
At the head of the team of mycologists Iginio Pintor.
- Doctor Pintor, why are some mushrooms dangerous for humans?
“The consumption of mushrooms not controlled by the qualified mycologists of the ASL is dangerous because among the many edible species there are poisonous and even deadly poisonous species, often easily confused with the edible ones. In addition, mycologists also evaluate the conservation status of the controlled mushrooms, avoiding that even mushrooms considered edible cause intoxication also due to their poor state of conservation (parasitic fungi, invaded by molds, excessively soaked in water, etc.) ".
How to recognize an edible mushroom from a harmful one?
"Certainly not relying on the numerous empirical methods and popular beliefs according to which, for example, if the parsley or silver that we put in the pot does not change color during the cooking, the mushrooms are certainly edible as they are. when we find them partially gnawed by snails or infested with insect larvae. The only safe system is to correctly determine the fungus as a species of proven edibility by having it checked by the mycologists of the Mycological Inspectorate of the ASL, where the service is provided free of charge. We remind you that the mycologist of the ASL is the only professional figure qualified by law for the recognition and control of epigean fungi ".
What problems can they cause?
“The symptoms associated with the consumption of poisonous mushrooms are many and vary according to the species ingested, its quantity and the sensitivity of each individual to individual toxins. Depending on the species consumed, we may have a more or less important gastrointestinal symptomatology which generally resolves in a benign way but which often requires hospitalization; we can still have neurological, psychotropic symptoms, up to the most serious symptoms in the case of consumption of particular fungal species (Amanita phalloides and Cortinarius orellanus) with often irreversible damage to vital organs such as liver and kidney and with often fatal outcomes ".
The watchword, especially for amateur seekers, is caution.
“Prudence and awareness of the potential dangers associated with the consumption of uncontrolled mushrooms is certainly the winning weapon in the prevention of mushroom poisoning” i.
Tips for avoiding trouble.
“Mushrooms must be collected whole, in good condition, cleaned of earth and other impurities, being careful not to discard any part of them to avoid eliminating fundamental characters for their correct recognition. All the mushrooms collected must be checked and not limited to a sample consisting of a few specimens with the conviction that they are all the same, because among those left at home similar poisonous mushrooms or fragments of these may hide. We also remember that the judgment of edibility is not limited to the recognition of the species but also extends to the evaluation of their state of freshness, or alteration linked to maturation, any bad conservation or invasion by parasites. When we decide to consume mushrooms, we must be sure that they have been correctly determined as edible, there is no other method than the botanical recognition of the species ".
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Here is where and when it will be possible to control the spontaneous fresh epigeal mushrooms intended for sale and / or administration:
• Cagliari San Benedetto market: certification will be carried out directly at the mushroom sales boxes from Monday to Friday from 8 to 10, except for further special needs that will be agreed from time to time with the food sector operators.
• Cagliari via San Lucifero, 81 on the ground floor from Monday to Friday, from 12 to
14.
• Municipal street market: prior telephone agreements to the numbers 070 6094809 - 4808 - 4817 and during the inspection activity.
• Other sales and / or administration activities: subject to telephone agreements on 070 6094809 - 4808 - 4817 and during the ordinary inspection activity.
• Iglesias via Gorizia at the headquarters of the Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, ground floor, on Mondays from 9 to 13.
• Sanluri via Bologna, wing "C" basement, on Mondays from 8 to 12,
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1pm to 2pm.
• Guspini via Montate 1st floor (outpatient clinic) on Mondays from 8 to 12 and on Wednesdays from 15 to 18.
• Senorbì via Campiooi (outpatient clinic) on Mondays from 12 to 14 and on Fridays from 8 to 10.
• lsili (Polyclinic) Friday from 11 to 13.
