The Mycological Inspection Service of the Social Security Institute’s (ISS) Prevention Department reopens on Monday, September 7, offering a free service for citizens who forage for mushrooms and want to check whether they are safe to eat before consuming them. The initiative, run by the San Marino Mycological Association (AMS), will continue until November 30.
The inspection service will be open every Monday and Thursday, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm, at its office on the fourth floor, stairwell F, of the ISS Prevention Department. “The service is aimed at citizens who collect mushrooms and wish to have them examined by expert mycologists, in order to check their edibility and receive correct guidance on how to consume them safely,” the ISS explains.
The initiative is primarily aimed at preventing mushroom poisoning. “Mycological inspection is an important prevention tool, as it helps reduce the risk of poisoning from mushrooms that are inedible, toxic, or improperly stored,” the statement reads. However, caution is needed even with species considered safe: “Even edible mushrooms require care in their preparation, cooking, storage, and the quantities consumed.”
The service is not limited to checking foraged mushrooms. Mycological inspectors also provide guidance on identifying different species and on how to behave while out foraging in the woods. “Mycological inspectors also provide useful information on species identification, on the behaviours to adopt while foraging, and on good practices to follow while in the woods, helping to protect public health and foster greater environmental awareness,” the statement concludes.
For more information, you can call 0549 994812 during the inspection service’s opening hours.
