Agency advises against eating raw fly agaric mushrooms

Monday 24 July 2006

The Agency is advising people not to eat raw or dried 'fly agaric' mushrooms, because there have been cases reported of severe reactions. These mushrooms may also be labelled as 'ibotenic acid/muscimol'.

The Agency has been made aware that these mushrooms (pictured) are being sold in some small retail outlets.

From the evidence available, severe reactions to eating these mushrooms seem to be very rare, but there have been cases of children having convulsions.

The main poisonous substance found in these mushrooms is called ibotenic acid, which is changed into a stronger poison called muscimol in the body.

These mushrooms are subject to Food Law. It is an offence under Food Law to sell food that is unsafe.