All early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, staff and families should be aware of the dangers of wild mushrooms. During autumn, all ECEC services are asked to regularly inspect their grounds for mushroom growth, and be vigilant during bush kinder and excursions.
This follows the health alert issued by the Victorian Department of Health Chief Health Officer on Wednesday 12 April 2023 about the danger of consuming potentially poisonous mushrooms, particularly death cap mushrooms and yellow staining mushrooms. These mushrooms commonly grow in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. You can view images of the 2 poisonous mushrooms on the Better Health Channel's Mushroom poisoning webpage.
The toxin in death cap mushrooms remains even after cooking, peeling or drying. If ingested, poisoning can cause nausea, stomach cramps and/or long-term liver damage resulting in death.
Yellow staining mushrooms look similar to field mushrooms commonly found in supermarkets but can be harmful if consumed. Symptoms experienced after consumption include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The severity of symptoms varies with the amount eaten.
What to do if you find mushrooms on ECEC grounds
Do not pick or eat wild mushrooms. Please let families and children know about the dangers of these mushrooms and reinforce to them not to touch any mushrooms they find. ECEC staff should:
- while wearing gloves, pick and remove any mushrooms growing
- carefully place mushrooms and used gloves in a bag and dispose of them in a closed rubbish bin
- wash hands thoroughly.
If a mushroom is consumed at an ECEC service
Do not wait for symptoms to occur before seeking medical attention.
If you suspect mushroom poisoning, phone Triple Zero (000) or the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Please carefully collect any remaining mushrooms for identification, using the same safety steps as noted above.
Incident reporting
Approved providers must notify Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD), the Regulatory Authority, within 24 hours if children are unwell due to contact with mushrooms and medical attention is required, including if emergency services attend.
Read about when providers must notify the Regulatory Authority about incidents and complaints.
Policy, guidance and resources
- Emergency management in early childhood services
- Nurse on Call – 1300 60 60 24
Help in languages other than English
If English is not your main language and you need an interpreter:
- call TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be transferred to Nurse on Call
- visit the Health Translations Victoria website for translated information about Nurse on Call in your language
- contact Nurse on Call.
Find out more
For more information, refer to Mushroom poisoning – Better Health Channel.
Updated