• Contact Tox Info Suisse immediately if you are experiencing symptoms after eating unchecked mushrooms. 
  
  
• In the event of Amanita poisoning, starting treatment promptly is life-saving. 
  
  
• Mushrooms cannot be identified solely using images, apps or AI.
  
  
• If you are ever in any doubt about whether you have eaten a poisonous mushroom, contact Tox Info Suisse – even without any symptoms. Do not wait until you have symptoms of mushroom poisoning.

Diarrhoea and vomiting can occur after eating mushrooms. It is not easy to judge whether you’re dealing with a harmless intolerance or – after eating foraged mushrooms that haven’t been checked – the onset of life-threatening poisoning.

The flesh of the consumed mushrooms, i.e. the underneath of the cap, may offer an indication. We differentiate between boletus and gilled mushrooms. There are no life-threatening species among the boletus mushrooms. However, fatal cases of poisoning are possible after consuming the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), a gilled mushroom.  

• The fruiting body of boletes looks like a bathroom sponge. Porcini is a classic example.
  
  

• There are no life-threatening species among the boletus mushrooms.
  

• The fruiting body of gilled mushrooms consists of gills (lamellae). Typical examples of these are button mushrooms but also the death cap.
  
  

• There are life-threatening species among the gilled mushrooms. 

To ensure mushroom foraging remains an enjoyable experience after your meal: Get your foraged mushrooms checked.

• You can find your nearest mushroom inspection body at vapko.ch.
  
  
• Tox Info Suisse advises against eating mushrooms you have foraged yourself that have only been identified using a plant identification app or AI. Mix-ups can be fatal.

Additional articles on the topic by Tox Info Suisse:
Edible mushrooms: unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms
Accidents involving children and unknown mushrooms
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning

Updates October 2026