Not all pumpkins are safe to eat

The pumpkin season has arrived, bringing with it a lesser-known danger: some pumpkins can cause serious food poisoning. The Anses, France’s National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, warns that not all pumpkins are edible and some can be harmful.

Toxic pumpkins contain harmful substances

Certain pumpkins, known as bitter pumpkins, contain cucurbitacines—bitter, irritating compounds that can lead to severe health issues. These include digestive pain, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and even severe dehydration requiring hospitalization, according to Anses.

Ornamental pumpkins are not for eating

The agency highlights that ornamental pumpkins, such as colocynths, are toxic and sold for decorative purposes. These should not be confused with edible varieties. Some edible pumpkins grown in home gardens can also become unsafe if they undergo wild hybridizations, making them unsuitable for consumption.

Distinguishing toxic pumpkins is difficult

Bitter and edible pumpkins look very similar, making it hard or even impossible to tell them apart. This similarity is why they are the most common cause of poisoning reported to health centers, according to Anses.