A UNIVERSITY launched a “bonkers” campaign warning its students not to eat conkers.
East Anglia University has put up posters showing a conker in a red circle with a cross through it.
Above the image is written, “Do not eat conkers!” and below, “These are not chestnuts and eating them will make you unwell”.
Bosses put up the posters in the international student study centre fearing a new intake of Chinese students might think they are edible.
Around 1,000 of the 17,000 students at the Norwich university hail from China.
It is feared some new arrivals could confuse conkers — known as horse chestnuts — with water chestnuts, which are prized in China for their crunchy texture and mild sweetness.
Horse chestnuts, however, contain a toxin called aesculin which can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
A source said: “The uni looks out for student welfare and thought this was an area they may need guidance on.”
The university said: “As far as we’re aware, no students have attempted to eat conkers and we’d like to keep it that way.
“The posters were prompted by a member of staff who previously worked with Chinese students and recalled similar confusion elsewhere.
“It’s part of our broader commitment to student wellbeing.”
East Anglia University has put up posters warning its students not to eat conkers
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