The infectious disease specialist told about the proper processing of mushrooms

Improper processing of mushrooms can lead to botulism - an infectious disease, possibly fatal, affecting the nervous system. Sergei Ryabov, deputy chief physician of Dubna hospital, infectious disease doctor, told about it on Monday, September 23.

"The fact is that slostridium botulinum is the toxin that causes the syndromes of this severe disease. It is an anaerobic microorganism that develops and lives in airless conditions. It can stay on mushrooms and berries for a long time in a spore-like state, and when there is an oxygen-free environment, which is the most favorable, it can change into an active form," the expert explained in a conversation with Radio 1.

The infectious disease specialist named two basic safety rules in the case of consumption and processing of mushrooms: rinse well and heat treatment. Spores are killed even with the usual boiling of mushrooms before cooking, which excludes the disease.

Ryabov noted that it is worth avoiding canned products sold along the road, because it is impossible to know the exact data on their processing.

"Canned mushrooms and fish, even juices prepared at home, are dangerous. Fighting the symptoms of botulism is difficult enough. Because it is a lesion of nervous tissue. Intensive antiseptic therapy should be carried out," - emphasized the specialist.

He also highlighted the main symptoms of botulism, at which you should immediately be alert and consult a doctor.

"Doubling in the eyes, sudden dry mouth, paralysis of respiratory muscles - all this can end quite tragically, if you do not start treatment in time," - concluded the doctor.

Roskachestvo conducted an extensive study of canned tuna after a mass poisoning in Russia that occurred in June 2024, the website aif.ru reported on September 12.

Earlier, on August 19, a proposal to introduce digital labeling on all processed food products for the purpose of traceability and blocking dangerous goods at cash registers was contained in the minutes of a meeting of the public council under Rospotrebnadzor and the advisory council on consumer rights protection.

Its topic was the prevention of recurrence of outbreaks of food botulism in the country.

According to the document, which was read by Izvestia, it is proposed to label products used in canned vegetables, fish and meat as a priority. However, as explained in the public council, it also refers to ready prepackaged meals sold by delivery and in stores, except for restaurants and cafes.