Veg pulled in mandrake scare

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 6 - Italian police on Thursday withdrew from sale in street markets near Naples lots of vegetables after 10 cases of food poisoning involving the mandragora or mandrake plant, made famous for its mythical magical qualities by the Harry Potter books.
    The vegetables were pulled from markets at Pozzuoli and Quarto after 10 people in three families suffered food poisoning after eating mandrake plants.
    One of them is in serious condition in a Naples hospital.
    The victims suffered hallucinations and intestinal issues, medical sources said.
    Mandrake has been used for hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac qualities, among many other effects. (ANSA).