Japan's Health Ministry has issued a warning to people heading into the mountains and forests this autumn, urging them to guard against toxic mushrooms that look very much like edible varieties and can be fatal if eaten.
According to the warning, some poisonous mushrooms can be mistaken for edible ones when judged by the naked eye alone, making it easy for foragers to make mistakes while gathering. Authorities advise people not to pick or consume mushrooms unless they are certain of the species, especially those growing wild in mountain and forest areas.
Autumn is when many people in Japan go into the mountains to gather mushrooms, so the risk of poisoning cases tends to rise. Medical experts stress that correctly identifying a mushroom is the key factor in avoiding tragic outcomes.
