Marlborough foragers warned of ‘toxic’ garlic after floods

People are being urged not to feed wild garlic because of a “serious risk” of E. coli contamination.

Marlborough City Council in Wiltshire has issued an urgent notice for areas near a tributary of the River Kennet, including St George’s Preshute.

Nearby Coopers Meadow was flooded with “a significant amount of human waste” after sewage overflowed on January 5.

The Royal Horticultural Society said it should be safe to eat the crops the year after the floods.

“After flooding, edible crops close to harvest are best not eaten: there can be no assurance that root crops will be safe to eat, so they should be discarded.

“Plants eaten raw should also be thrown away and it is prudent to avoid growing lettuce and other uncooked crops for two years in case disease spores remain in the soil,” added a spokesman for the charity.

The Food Standards Agency has also advised against eating food that has been touched or covered by flood or sewage water.

The warning includes produce grown in an allotment or garden that has been affected by flooding.

A spokesman said: “Wild garlic is not usually cooked and tends to be used as a garnish, so from a microbiological point of view we would advise against consuming wild garlic that has been touched by flood waters or sewage.” .

The searchers were also reminded to obey the law and protect the environment.

A spokesman for Marlborough City Council said frequent foraging in the area had caused a “large, unsightly and empty patch”.

“We all have a right to enjoy our open spaces,” they added.

“With this comes the responsibility to obey any signs or regulations, as well as to leave the meadow as you find it for the whole community to enjoy and to protect our precious environment and biodiversity.”