Are Wild Blackberries In Roadside Hedges Safe To Eat, Aren't They Full Of Air Pollution?

Question

Are Wild Blackberries In Roadside Hedges Safe To Eat, Aren't They Full Of Air Pollution?

2 Answers

Answer Question

Answer 1

They can be fairly polluted; the UK Food Standard Agency (in 2006) recommended that people don't pick wild produce from the sides of busy roads, or anywhere that it looked like it might be contaminated by oil or ash. However, blackberries (or other wild produce) from quiet roads should have reasonably low contamination from air-borne pollutants.

Apply your common sense and don't pick eat berries that look mouldy or infested. Ideally you should wash the fruit before eating them, too.

Answer 2

They are actually safe for human consumption, just that you must wait for quite a long time, maybe wait till it turns black before you start harvesting these berries. This is due to the fact that these berries would turn sour, and it is hard to consume before it turns black, so it inadvisable to harvest them at a earlier date, before it changes color. They are a bit thorny, so you must take some safety precautions, like wearing long sleeved-shirt, to handle the berries carefully.