The NSW Poisons Information Centre (NSW PIC) is warning the community against eating wild mushrooms, with recent wet weather creating optimal growing conditions for the blooms, which ordinarily occur in autumn.

Wild mushrooms can cause serious poisoning, if ingested. Symptoms include persistent vomiting and diarrhoea, and in severe cases, liver and kidney damage, or death. 

Last year, the NSW PIC responded to 363 calls regarding exposures to wild mushrooms in NSW and ACT, an increase of 26 per cent compared to 2023. Of these calls, 76 (21%) related to adolescents and adults (15 – 74 years) who had ingested mushrooms intentionally, including as a result of foraging.

Dr Darren Roberts, Medical Director of the NSW PIC, said while there were no deaths in NSW, most cases were experiencing symptoms of poisoning, emphasising how dangerous ingesting wild mushrooms can be.

“There is no easy way to know if a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous, so we advise people against foraging for, and eating, wild mushrooms, particularly outside of an organised tour with an expert,” Dr Roberts said.

“There is also a perception cooking or peeling wild mushrooms makes them safe, but it doesn’t. The only mushrooms anyone should be eating are those purchased from a reputable supermarket, grocer or market.”

Additionally, 196 calls in 2024 related to children under five who had ingested mushrooms while playing outside in NSW and the ACT. Fortunately, most did not have symptoms at the time of the call.

“While most children didn’t have any symptoms, this volume of calls relating to exposures in young kids still generates a lot of concern,” Dr Roberts said.

“Wild mushrooms can pop up overnight, so it is really important parents check any outdoor spaces where their child plays and remove wild mushrooms as they appear.”

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning generally occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating the mushrooms, depending on the mushroom type and amount eaten. In some mushroom exposures, symptoms can be delayed but early treatment is vital. 

Anyone who is exposed to wild mushrooms should call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) immediately, regardless of whether they have symptoms.

In an emergency, people should call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance, or seek medical treatment through their local emergency department.

Further information on wild mushroom poisoning is available on the NSW Health website.