An investigation by Nutraceuticals identifies widespread use of alarming production methods to culture mushroom products.
At Nutraceuticals we have disclosed a serious quality issue with mushroom powders and extracts, which is little known within the Food and Supplements industry.
This safety threat was exposed as a result of Nutraceuticals Risk Assessment programme, which is used to determine the competency of our manufacturers and products. This programme revealed that peanuts are extensively employed for the growth of mushroom materials from manufacturers. We found that some operations are using peanut shells as a cheap and readily available source for the culture, the growth medium and the compost base for these products.
Do you know how your mushroom powders are cultivated?
In some instances, we determined that the use of peanuts is due to a lack of understanding of allergenic contamination. More concerningly, however, we believe that some manufacturers are deliberately ignoring the risks of using peanut products and are prioritising profit over safety.
It is of great concern that the use of this allergenic timebomb is often not readily communicated by manufacturers to purchasers in the UK and Europe.
The European Centre for Allergen Research Foundation claims that it has been demonstrated that 0.2 per cent of the entire European population is allergic to peanuts and that in some cases, trace amounts of one milligram can trigger a reaction. In England and Wales during the period 2012-2016, the Office for National Statistics identified that 15 deaths were attributable to food allergies. Thus, the potential risk of this non-disclosure of allergens cannot be underestimated.
Coming ‘clean’ on nutty mushrooms…
In light of our product investigation, we at Nutraceuticals want to reassure our customers that the powdered mushroom products we supply are free from the allergenic risk posed by peanuts. In a market that is potentially ‘highly contaminated’ with fungi products containing peanut proteins, we are confident that our mushroom powders do not present this deadly risk.
Our manufacturers are chosen for the superior nutritive quality of the materials that they produce and also for their comprehensive understanding of food safety requirements. This confidence in our sourcing is particularly relevant for our mushroom powders. We ensure that these products are obtained from facilities where the peanut risk is fully comprehended and where production is focused on maintaining a ‘clean’ peanut free status.
Nutraceuticals at the forefront of product testing and Quality Assurance.
The minimal awareness of this allergenic risk in mushroom products within the European food and supplement market, means that as a result of our investigation, Nutraceuticals is leading the way in providing safe options for producers and consumers. We believe that we are the only ingredient company in Europe committed to a program of testing for mushroom supplements. We have worked with our approved manufacturers to ensure positive release testing at source. Additionally, we undertake peanut testing for these materials at external UKAS accredited laboratories upon receipt in the UK. As a final safety check prior to release into Nutraceuticals supply chain, the test results are reviewed and approved by our Quality Team.
Our response to this risk is indicative of the ethos at Nutraceuticals. We establish partnerships with trusted, high-quality manufacturers and strengthen our product knowledge with research and analysis. Our extensive team of scientific, nutritional and legislative experts then validate these testing initiatives and communicate this knowledge to provide our customers with an unrivalled range of product information. Across our vast product range, we strive to offer the best, safest and most exciting ingredients with the added assurance, advice and support that our customers value and deserve.
Can your supplier of Mushroom Powders provide you with the same product confidence?
Click here to start a conversation with us today .
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