Literature review of heavy metal levels in wild edible European mushrooms in relation to the risk to common livestock species

Abstract

Mushrooms are a reliable source of food and livestock feed across the world due to their nutritional value, palatable flavours, and medicinal properties. However, these fungi have been shown to accumulate and retain heavy metals through absorption from their environment. This can pose a significant health risk in some cases if improperly treated feed is given to livestock, for consumers and livestock alike. High levels of heavy metal in wild edible mushrooms have become a growing risk worldwide, particularly in areas contaminated with industrial pollutants, agricultural runoff, and mining activity by-products.