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Health Officials Warn Residents Not to Eat Wild Mushrooms
By Staff Writer
Published on Fri, Jan 16, 2026
Health officials are urging the community to avoid foraging for or consuming wild mushrooms after several dangerous amatoxin poisonings were reported elsewhere in California.
While no illnesses have been linked to Long Beach so far, the warning from the Long Beach Health Department is meant to prevent tragedy before it happens.
Recent rainfall across Long Beach has created ideal growing conditions for wild mushrooms, which may now be appearing in yards and public green spaces.
Some of the most dangerous mushrooms, including the notorious death cap, closely resemble edible varieties in both appearance and taste. These toxic mushrooms are especially common in fall and winter and often grow near oak and pine trees after rainfall. Unfortunately, there’s no way to “cook out” the danger—boiling, drying, freezing or sautéing does not make them safe.
Poisoning symptoms usually appear six to 24 hours after eating a toxic mushroom and can include severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and dehydration. The tricky part is that people may feel better after a day, only to develop serious liver damage one to four days later.
In the most severe cases, amatoxin poisoning can be fatal. Children and pets are particularly vulnerable, so residents are encouraged to keep a close eye on curious hands and noses outdoors, especially in areas where mushrooms may be growing after storms.
Health officials stress that anyone who may have eaten a wild mushroom should seek medical care immediately or call the California Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and can guide both the public and medical providers on next steps.
Waiting for symptoms to appear can be dangerous—early treatment matters.
The safest option, the Health Department says, is also the simplest: only eat mushrooms purchased from trusted grocery stores or retailers.
For more information about poisonous mushrooms and how to stay safe, residents can visit the California Department of Public Health website at go.cdhp.ca.gov/poisonmushrooms.
