N.B. officials reiterate warning about edible plants in flood zone, plan cleanup

New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health is issuing another warning about eating wild, edible plants in areas of the province affected by flooding.

Jennifer Russell says the plants could be contaminated by possible sewage and pollutants in floodwaters and may be unsafe to consume.

Officials have said that floodwaters that swept through communities along the Saint John River may have contained untreated sewage, fuel or other contaminants, and plants could have been exposed.

Russell says plants, like fiddleheads, are popular and are harvested along riverbanks at this time of year, but that other wild plants away from the flooded areas are likely safe to eat.

The massive job of cleaning up after the record-breaking flooding is beginning, with special garbage collection in areas like Maugerville, Chipman, Sheffield starting next Monday.

The province says crews will stop at each house once during the cleanup, so residents should have items sorted and ready and the dumpsters will be available for spoiled food in certain communities.

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This story was originally published by Canadian Insurance Top Broker.