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Morel mushrooms linked to fatal food poisoning outbreak; FDA releases first-ever prep guidelines (www.oregonlive.com)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/health@lemmy.world
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A food poisoning outbreak that killed two people and sickened 51 has highlighted just how little is known about morel mushrooms and the risks in preparing the popular and expensive delicacy.

The FDA conducted an investigation into morel mushrooms after the severe illness outbreak linked to Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, Montana, in late March and April. The investigation found that undercooked or raw morels were the likely culprit, and it led the agency to issue its first guidelines on preparing morels.

“The toxins in morel mushrooms that may cause illness are not fully understood; however, using proper preparation procedures, such as cooking, can help to reduce toxin levels,” according to the FDA guidance.

Even then, a risk remains, according to the FDA: “Properly preparing and cooking morel mushrooms can reduce risk of illness, however there is no guarantee of safety even if cooking steps are taken prior to consumption.”

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[–] 38 points 2 years ago (2 children)

i know this isn't always a necessity with mushrooms but I'm finding it funny that the FDA was forced to say "ay, cook your food"

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  • [–] 23 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    People think of mushrooms like vegetables and most wouldn't suspect that it's often more important for mushrooms to be fully cooked than it is for meat.

    People eat rare burgers all the time and only rarely get sick, morels are actually poisonous when undercooked so you're guaranteed to get sick if you eat enough of them.

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  • [–] 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    There are tons of plants that are inedible unless cooked. Like potatoes.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (3 children)

    i wouldn't say they're inedible, just so utterly unappealing that you can't get yourself to eat them.

    i can't imagine a raw potato is much different to digest than a raw carrot

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  • [–] 0 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I've had plenty of raw mushrooms in my life. Just button and baby bella though. Never thought twice about it and haven't had any problems either.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Those are both the same mushroom, Agaricus Bisporus which is mildly toxic and carcinogenic when eaten raw. You probably won't get an upset stomach unless you eat a lot of them but it's really not worth the risk just to ruin a perfectly good salad with nasty raw mushrooms.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    it was a sushi restaurant, they specialize in raw food

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  • [–] 19 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I mean if they specialize in it, they should know which things are safe to eat uncooked

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  • [–] 13 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    It's a sushi place 500 miles from the closest salt water. It's like gator meat in Buffalo NY - untrustworthy.

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    • [–] 38 points 2 years ago* (3 children)

    Anybody who knows mushrooms knows that the vast majority of them have to be well cooked or, at the least, they are likely to cause stomach upset.

    At Dave’s, a marinade, sometimes boiling, was poured over the raw mushrooms before they were served, Parker said.

    This is the restaurant's fault.

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  • [–] 10 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    even completely nontoxic mushrooms can upset your stomach if you eat a bunch of them, and especially if you're not used to doing so.

    they're not trivial to digest

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago*

    Mushroom cells contain a ton of chitin, which is what crustacean shells are mostly made of. I happen to have a stomach of steel, so it doesn't bother me that much. Or maybe, I am just really used to it.

    If you have a sensitive stomach, it's much easier to take shrooms as a tea or steeped in some lemon juice for an hour. The heat or the acid works wonders on chitin... (It's also rumored that citric acid will work wonders on psilocybin and convert some of it to back to psilocin as well. That isn't for a beginner, btw.)

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    My FIL served slightly grilled mushrooms. I forget the name but it's not toxic, but they were undercooked and I was incredibly intoxicated and ate a bunch. Served with a delicious sauce, went together nicely.

    The next day, well I hadn't puked that much ever before. 12 hours straight intense puking and another 12 hours laying on the sofa

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I would guess portabella because they are great for grilling.

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    • [–] 21 points 2 years ago*

    Dave's Sushi is a known food poisoning spot, haha. This is not the first time they have run into issues. I remember in university, classmates would go there on a date, fall asleep together, and would say they'd both be up all night vomiting. But they said the sex (prior to getting hideously sick) was great. Young people, haha. Didn't really bat an eye back then, it was just a known quantity. My general rule of thumb is to not get sushi or other raw seafood in Montana or any other landlocked state.

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    [–] 19 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Lol "hey uh, cook your food guys" - FDA

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    fry the crap outta those things

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    • [–] -1 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    The mushrooms are fighting back.

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