FORAGING —
HOSPITALISATIONS
815. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
Many
Western Australians forage in local forests and national park areas for fungi
and other natural foods and medicines.
(1) How many
hospitalisations have there been in 2021 and so far in 2022 attributable to
those who have foraged for fungi or other foods and have become ill as a result?
(2) How many deaths have occurred
due to the same reason in 2021 and so far in 2022?
(3) Does the
government have a public education campaign about the potential dangers of
consuming foraged foods or medicines without properly ensuring their safety;
and, if not, will it implement one?
Hon
SAMANTHA ROWE replied:
I thank the honourable member for some
notice of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the Leader
of the House representing the Minister for Health. An answer will be provided
on the next sitting day.