Expert: mushroom pickers should not rely solely on AI apps
A Poison Information Centre consultant warns that AI-based mushroom identification apps may mistakenly suggest the closest-looking species instead of the correct one. She advises picking only mushrooms one is fully certain are safe to eat.
As mushroom season begins, many people head into the forest to forage, but health problems can arise not only from eating poisonous species but also from old or spoiled mushrooms and improper preparation.
Ruth Kastanje, a nurse-consultant at the Poison Information Centre, told ERR that people should only pick mushrooms they are completely certain are edible. Among the mushrooms most often causing poisoning are those that irritate the gastrointestinal tract, including various types of milkcaps, webcaps and brittlegills.
Caution with AI apps
Kastanje specifically urged caution when using apps that identify mushrooms from photos using artificial intelligence. She explained that such apps do not always recognize an unfamiliar species and may instead suggest the most similar-looking option, which could turn out to be a poisonous species or one that does not even grow in the local area.
It is also important to consider which country or region an app is designed for, since a mushroom shown on screen may belong to a species not found in local forests at all. Caution is also needed when identifying mushrooms from photos shared on social media, since even specialized groups may contain joking replies or low-quality photos that don't show all the necessary features.
Preparing mushrooms
After picking, it is important to assess the condition of the mushrooms and choose fresh, firm specimens. Some species must be pre-boiled in enough water for at least 20 minutes before further cooking. Cooked fresh mushrooms should not be stored for several days or reheated repeatedly.
The presence of worms is not itself a cause of poisoning and mainly relates to food preferences, but old or spoiled mushrooms may contain bacteria, so fresh specimens are preferable.
Anyone suspecting mushroom poisoning can call the Poison Information Centre's hotline at 16662, where specialists can help assess the situation. Kastanje noted that eating a potentially poisonous mushroom may require medical attention, while symptoms from gastrointestinal-irritating mushrooms usually resolve on their own within a day.
