Mushroom foraging laws in Rhode Island

Summary

Rhode Island DEM rules ban cutting, removing or damaging trees, shrubs, vegetation or natural features on DEM public reservations without official written permission, and do not name mushrooms. For selling, Rhode Island's Food Code adopts the 2022 FDA Food Code, under which a food establishment needs approval to sell or serve wild-picked mushrooms.

Public land

DEM rule 250-RICR-100-00-7, section 7.20, says no person shall cut, remove or damage any tree, stone walls, natural element or feature, shrub or vegetation on Public Reservations except with official written permission. Mushrooms are not named, so ask DEM before picking. Federal and other lands follow their own rules.

Permits

Official written permission is required under 250-RICR-100-00-7 section 7.20. No mushroom-specific permit is described.

Selling

Rhode Island's Food Code (216-RICR-50-10-1, section 1.2) adopts the 2022 FDA Food Code. Its section 3-201.16 says wild-picked mushrooms may not be offered for sale or service by a food establishment unless the establishment has been approved to do so, with exceptions for cultivated wild species from regulated operations and packaged product from regulated plants. I found no Rhode Island change to that section. Ask the RIDOH Center for Food Protection how to get approval.

Sources

• 250-RICR-100-00-7 - DEM Public Reservations rules (RI Secretary of State)
• 216-RICR-50-10-1 - Rhode Island Food Code (RI Secretary of State)
• FDA Food Code 2022, section 3-201.16 (fda.gov)

Last verified: November 11, 2026