Fwd: PRO/PL/EDR> Poison plant - Canada, USA: alert

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POISON PLANT - CANADA, USA: ALERT

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International Society for Infectious Diseases

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Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 04:31:10

From: " M. Cosgriff " <mcosgriff@...>

Source: AP & Nando Times 26 Apr 2001 [edited]

<http://www.nandotimes.com/healthscience/story/0,1080,500476813-500732

518-504188381-0,00.html>

Health & Science: Poisonous plant prompts FDA warning

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The US Food and Drug Administration is warning people to stay clear of

a poisonous plant mistakenly labeled as " tasty. "

The plant, known as Autumn Monkshood, remains poisonous even after

it's cooked. Valleybrook Gardens Ltd., a Canadian nursery, distributed

the plant -- labeled as being " tasty in soup " -- to nurseries in

Washington state & Idaho (USA) and British Columbia (Canada).

Poisoning could cause irregular heartbeat or direct paralysis, leading

to death, the FDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said

Thursday. Other symptoms include tingling limbs, burning or tingling

mouth or tongue, muscle weakness and stomach problems. Anyone who eats

the plant should go to a doctor immediately.

The plants, which have tall violet-blue flowers, were packaged in blue

plastic pots and distributed starting in early March [2001]. The

agencies think about 1500 already have been sold. There are no known

illnesses or injuries [reported at present].

People with concerns may call Valleybrook Gardens at 1-604-855-1177 or

the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1-613-225-2342.

...................................jw

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