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7 February 2015 Last updated at 05:23 Share this pageEmailPrint
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Keep daffodils away from food, supermarkets warned

Daffodils contain poisonous alkaloids that can cause severe vomiting
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Food fear over 'poison' daffodils
Supermarkets have been urged to keep daffodils away from fruit and vegetable aisles this spring - in case they are mistaken for food.

In a letter to major stores, Public Health England warned the flowers could be confused with onions or Chinese vegetables, and consumption of them was an "emerging risk".

Daffodils contain toxic alkaloids that can cause severe vomiting, it said.

It noted 27 cases of poisoning linked to daffodils and narcissi last year.

'Dangerous if eaten'
Prof Paul Cosford, director for health protection at Public Health England, wrote a letter to the stores headed "steps to avoid daffodil poisonings this spring".

He said: "Each spring stores such as yours provide a wide selection of flowers, particularly cut daffodils and daffodil bulbs.

"Unfortunately there are rare occasions when the bulbs are mistaken for onions, and the stems or leaves are mistaken for a type of vegetable popular in China.

"As I'm sure you are aware, daffodils are dangerous if eaten and poisoning can occur as a result."

He continued: "We are asking you, along with all other major supermarkets, to ensure that daffodils, both the bulbs from which they sprout and the cut variety too, are displayed well away from the produce or fruit and vegetable area."

Daffodil poisonings in Britain are not unheard of. In 2012, Bristol's Chinese community was urged not to eat daffodils after 10 people had to be treated in hospital.

It was thought they may have mistaken the green parts of the flower for a chive used in Chinese cooking.

Be better to have a notice in all known languages next to the Daffodils or better still close down health and safety as it looks as if they have to much time on their hands, what next will we end up creating millions of jobs and you phone up and get someone to hold your hand when you go shopping just in case you pickup some Daffodils, where the hell did we lose our own responsibility and place it in government hands to keep us safe, the plot seems to be well and truly lost

Well said Davew3.

I suppose if some poor bugger doesn't see this notification on facebook or twitter, as many people don't do them, and a customer gets poisoned, he'll be in for the high jump.
Many of these people have left countries such as China, where the Government has too much control, but the demand for the same here in this country, seems to be rising. Damn sure China or any other country wouldn't do the same for any unsuspecting foreigner.
I suppose ten cases a year will keep the NHS costs down.
Our kids get v and d bugs every year, and that's probably more severe for some little ones. Close the schools !!!!!

Symptoms :If ingested, may cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms usually subside within 4 hours but may last up to 24 hours. The bulb also contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation to the mouth and throat. Ingestion of water holding cut flowers can also result in abdominal discomfort and vomiting.

Lesson : Don't let your kids drink daffodil water, folks !


Saturday Morning Rant over.

Extraordinary that, 10 cases , none of them fatal can cause so much nonsense. As you say Granny, do we close all the schools and public places because folk get colds? I am looking out now at the daffs sprouting in the garden and may have some for lunch to test them out. Anybody care to join me? You see I would never have thought of eating them before but now I am curious.

its enough to make you cry

I've just been taken into hospital with daffodil poisoning. Doctors say I'll be out come springtime.