Toxic Mushroom Contamination of Wild Mushrooms in Commercial Distribution.

Poisonings caused by ingestion of toxic, wild-picked morel mushrooms have been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Problems occur when collectors of wild mushrooms inadvertently include toxic look-alike species with the edible wild species offered for sale. A 2-year survey conducted by the FDA showed 21% of the morel and 15% of the wild mixed mushrooms were contaminated with toxic look-alike species. These contaminants contain toxins that produce symptoms ranging from dizziness and gastrointestinal distress to liver and heart damage. Present regulatory controls include FDA Import Alerts for morels contaminated with Gyromitra esculenta and Verpa bohemica , a Michigan state regulation requiring licensing of harvesters of wild mushrooms, and an Illinois state regulation prohibiting the sale of wild-picked mushrooms through retail outlets. American consumers, unable to distinguish between edible and toxic look-alike wild mushrooms, may face illness and possibly death from products purchased on the normally well-regulated U.S. consumer market.

Analytical Techniques for Glass Contamination of Food: A Guide for Administrators and Analysts.

An analytical scheme is presented to provide an overview of techniques applicable to glass contamination in a variety of consumer products. Procedures are referenced or presented in detail, with emphasis on quality assurance. References on forensic and analytical methods for the examination of glass are provided.

Effects of Processing Equipment on Howard Mold and Rot Fragment Counts of Tomato Catsup.

Two studies were done to determine the effects of processing equipment on Howard mold and rot fragment counts of tomato catsup. In a pilot plant study in 1980, batches of catsup with known cut-out rot levels were produced and processed through various types of comminution equipment. Urschel and Fitzpatrick mills and homogenizers at 500 to 700 and 1500 to 2000 psi increased mold counts more than twofold over the range of data obtained. Contrary to previous reports, Urschel mills increased rot counts significantly. A nationwide survey was conducted in 1983 to determine if similar effects would be found with well-characterized commercial products. Data were obtained on inline and finished products from 164 lots of catsup produced at 16 plants located across the country. Urschel and Fitzpatrick mills tended to increase mold counts over twofold and caused a slight increase in rot counts. High pressure homogenizers (≥2000 psi) tended to decrease mold counts; low pressure homogenizers (<2000 psi) increased them. Homogenization at any pressure reduced rot counts dramatically. Although mold counts were highest for catsup produced in the eastern United States and lowest for catsup produced in the West, milling and low pressure homogenization were also most prevalent in the East and least prevalent in the West. When the effects of these types of comminution were removed, the difference between regions diminished. Compared with the norm, rainfall levels for the growing regions involved in this survey were fairly typical.

Mold in Jellied and Whole-Berry Styles of Cranberry Sauce.

A survey was made to determine the level of mold contamination in jellied and whole-berry style cranberry sauce. The analytical data obtained were representative of the cranberry sauce at the national retail level. The mean and range of Howard mold counts for each style were as follows: jellied, 4.1% (0-98%); and whole berry, 1.6% (0-10%). The percentage of samples of each style found to contain mold were: jellied 85.8% and whole berry 64.9%.