Mushroom-based food supplements are subject to food law. In Great Britain this includes the rules on food supplements, novel foods and nutrition and health claims, overseen by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department of Health and Social Care. Here are the essentials.
What is a novel food?
A novel food is a food that was not consumed to a significant degree in the UK or the EU before 15 May 1997. Novel foods need a safety assessment and authorisation before they can be sold. In Great Britain, applications are assessed by the FSA (and Food Standards Scotland).
Whether a mushroom ingredient is a novel food depends on the species, the part used (fruiting body or mycelium) and how it is produced. For example, the FSA currently considers Cordyceps militaris unauthorised without specific approval, whereas Cordyceps sinensis mycelium and many culinary mushrooms have a documented history of consumption.
What is a health claim?
A health claim is any statement, image or symbol that states, suggests or implies a relationship between a food or one of its ingredients and health. In Great Britain, only claims included in the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register may be used, and only under their conditions of use.
A well-known example: 'vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system', which can be used when a product contains a significant amount of vitamin C.
How are claims authorised?
Applicants must provide scientific evidence, usually including studies in humans, which is assessed by independent experts. Most authorised claims relate to vitamins and minerals. Claims that are vague, poorly defined or not supported by evidence are rejected.
What about mushrooms?
There are currently no authorised health claims for mushrooms themselves. A large group of claims for plant and mushroom ingredients ('botanicals') submitted years ago remains 'on hold' pending a decision on how traditional use should be evaluated. Authorised claims for vitamins or minerals in a formula refer to those nutrients – not to the mushroom.
Why this matters for you
Clear rules help consumers compare products and protect them from misleading information. When choosing a mushroom supplement, look for transparent labelling and be cautious of products that promise specific health effects from mushrooms.
Our approach
At Hifas da Terra we follow these rules on our labels and website, use authorised claims only for the vitamins and minerals in our formulas, and continue to invest in research.