70 percent of the chanterelles hazardous to health

Chanterelles infested with mold

According to the German Society of Mycology, the chanterelles offered for sale in Germany are 70 percent harmful to health.

(15.08.2010) Currently, chanterelles are available for purchase at all vegetable and supermarkets. But the German Society of Mycology has proven in a test that 70 percent of chanterelles for the health of consumers can be dangerous. A total of 10 times, chanterelles were bought as a trial in supermarkets and weekly markets. The majority of the fungi showed mold and were interspersed with maggots. "We have moldy fungi, we have fungi infested with maggots and we found rotten mushrooms - and that 70 percent of the samples are affected, that's a scandal," said Georg Müller, expert of the German Society of Mycology to NDR magazine " Market".

About seven out of ten chanterelle mushrooms were already interspersed with mold and rot at the time of purchase. Therefore warns the expert of the mycology society before consumption. Because the consumption of moldy mushrooms can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea and vomiting. When the consumer's immune system is weakened, symptoms like blood in the urine and fever can come along. In addition, allergic reactions such as irritation of the mucous membranes, coughing, headaches or constant tiredness can be triggered in sensitive people.

A total of four samples were purchased in a supermarket, of which all samples were hazardous to health. Even the mushrooms bought at the weekly markets were hardly better. Here, three of the six samples purchased were hazardous to health, one conditionally marketable and two harmless.

But how can you tell if chanterelles are still fresh?? Consumers should only choose chanterelles that are neither greasy nor moist. Chanterelles, their lamellae glued together, are for the most part no longer fresh and should no longer be purchased. Traces of mold are easily recognizable on the lamellae at first sight. The mushrooms should be bright yellow and have no dark spots, then usually a consumption is harmless. (Sb)

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Picture: Peter von Bechen