Ostrich fern poisoning - New York and western Canada, 1994
Article Abstract:
People who eat raw or lightly cooked fiddlehead ferns may have an increased risk of food poisoning. In May of 1994, 42 diners in a Steuben County, New York restaurant developed nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sixty-seven percent of the people who had eaten sauteed fiddlehead ferns became ill. Diners in a nearby restaurant who consumed boiled fiddlehead ferns did not become ill. At eateries in Banff, Alberta and British Columbia, 33 diners who ate fiddlehead ferns developed food poisoning. The ferns had been lightly sauteed, served in soup, or blanched. Three other Canadians developed food poisoning after eating raw or lightly cooked fiddlehead ferns purchased at local markets. The suspected source of illness is an unidentified toxin in the fiddlehead fern plant. Thorough cooking may deactivate or leach the toxin from the fern.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning - Northern California, January 1997
Article Abstract:
Several cases of poisoning from ingesting Amanita phalloides illustrate the dangers of eating unidentified mushrooms. These mushrooms often grow in large numbers in the West, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic after heavy rains. During the winter of 1995-96, 13 people were hospitalized in Northern California for Amanita poisoning and 9 people were hospitalized with this condition in the winter of 1996-97. Altogether, three people died. The mushroom produces a toxin that attacks the liver, causing hepatitis and even liver failure. Many mushrooms are difficult to identify and guidebooks do not always help.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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Histamine Poisoning Associated With Eating Tuna Burgers
Article Abstract:
Restaurants that offer tuna burgers must store the fish at cold temperatures to prevent the formation of histamine. Between July 1998 and February 1999, 22 cases of histamine poisoning from tuna occurred in North Carolina. In 64% of the cases, the fish was not properly stored before serving.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2001
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