Meat substitute made from fungus in U.S.

South Bend Tribune ^ | March 3, 2002

[turk99]

March 3, 2002

Meat substitute made from fungus in U.S.WASHINGTON (AP) -- A fake meat that is made from fungus, but looks and tastes like chicken, has arrived in U.S. supermarkets. In Europe, the meat substitute rivals soyburgers and similar products in popularity.

Known as mycoprotein, it is marketed under the trade name Quorn (pronounced kworn) and made into a variety of products, including chicken-like nuggets, lasagna and fettuccine Alfredo -- even an alternative to ground beef, called "grounds."

"It's wonderful as far as consumers are concerned," said Leslie Bonci, a nutrition specialist who first tried mycoprotein in a London restaurant. "It's a lot of protein for a minimal amount of calories and three to four grams of fiber.

"Scientists found the fungus growing on farms west of London in the 1960s and discovered that its long strands could be made into a product that mimicked the fibrous tissue of meat.

The fungus is now grown through fermentation, mixed with egg and flavorings and fashioned into imitation chicken or beef.

The product was developed by a subsidiary of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and introduced in Britain in 1985. It is now eaten in one in 20 British households, the company says, and is sold in six other European countries. It arrived in U.S. stores in January after getting approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

"I think it's got a lot of potential. We just have to make sure fungus is not going to appear on the label anywhere," said Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

It doesn't.

Labels on Quorn products say that mycoprotein "comes from a small, unassuming member of the mushroom family, which we ferment like yogurt.

"That sounds much more appealing than calling it a fungus -- mycoprotein means fungal protein -- but it also is not accurate, critics say.

"It has as much to do with mushrooms as you and I have to do with salamanders," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest. "We all know what a mushroom looks like. This ain't it."

His group has complained to the FDA about the label, and says the agency should not have approved mycoprotein without requiring more review of its potential to cause allergic reactions, because it has not been consumed in this country before.

A panel of U.S. scientists that reviewed the product at the manufacturer's expense decided there was little chance people would be allergic to Quorn and that the product had many nutritional benefits. Their report, published last year in the journal Food Technology, was submitted to the government.

[cake_crumb]

WOW, thanks for the recipe...saving it to my HD. I have a similar one for crabmeat stuffed mushrooms.

[anymouse]

Still can't figure why people are so eager to eat something in the same classification as "athlete's foot" and "jock itch" fungi?

Nutritionly speaking, fungi are at the bottom of the food pyramid, thus contain the least amount of nutrients per volume eatten.

And don't get me started on what shrooms "eat." :)

[cake_crumb]

"Nutritionly speaking, fungi are at the bottom of the food pyramid, thus contain the least amount of nutrients per volume eatten."

Anything to make PETA happy...unless they come out with a campaign against the enslavement of eggs to make fake meat.

[MarMema]

Seems like a good time of year to do the bump on this one... FYI.

[ThinkLikeWaterAndReeds]

"It has as much to do with mushrooms as you and I have to do with salamanders," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest. "We all know what a mushroom looks like. This ain't it."

But then again, maybe it is. If it is the right kind of mushroom, by the end of the meal, it will be one of the most marvelous tasting items on the menue. Remember the introduction of Coca-Cola?

[Cold Heat]

Only cockroaches eat fungus! Now pass the mushrooms!

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

I would sooner die of hardening of the arteries........

[Fintan]

I have a similar one for crabmeat stuffed mushrooms.

I'd like to take this opportunity to gently remind you of FR Recipe Posting Protocol, Article 543(a):

POST THE RECIPE!!!!!!!

:-)

[varon]

Known as mycoprotein, it is marketed under the trade name Quorn (pronounced kworn) and made into a variety of products, including:

Quorn dogs, Quorn bread, Quorn on the cob, sweet Quorn as side dish and Quorn meal among other products for the ever versatile American housewife ;-)

[SamAdams76]

Does it go good with cheese?

[mrs slocombe]

FUNGUS. IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER.

May I suggest that you serve the fungus with a delicious side of skate?

[Eala]

...Michael Jacobson, executive director of the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest...
His group has complained to the FDA about the label, and says the agency should not have approved mycoprotein without requiring more review of its potential to cause allergic reactions, because it has not been consumed in this country before.

Do you think if there were allergy problems they'd have got wise to the fact after a decade and a half's consumption in Britain? Sheesh. This guy's just promoting himself and his group, using this as an issue. For real truth in advertising, his group should be named the "Center for Science in Our Own (Pockets') Interest."

[Lessismore]

Fungus is what gives cheese its varied flavors and bouquet.

[Irene Adler]

"the 17 turkeys we're doing this year for the race party!"

You have RACE parties? What are they like exactly? (joke)

[tubebender]

Quorn dogs, Quorn bread, Quorn on the cob, sweet Quorn as side dish and Quorn meal among other products for the ever versatile American housewife ;-)>/I>

FReeper Chef of the day. :-o)<

[Dialup Llama]

The scary sci-fi novel Gateway, which described a dystopic world populated by 30 billion people, had a food source which was something like a fungus grown on oil shale and had to be mined.

[tet68]

Actually while quite toxic the Amanita Muscaria is not to be confused with it's relatives
which ARE extremely deadly,the Virosa,Verna,Phalloides,and Pantherina,
often called by names like "Destroying Angel,Angel of Death,Death Cap".
These are deadly in the extreme and have often been used in assassinations.
Bringing on terrible symptoms only after several hours have passed,
muscle spasms which can break bones and finally liver failure.

The Muscaria is known for it's red cap,and it's association with Birch trees.
Long used as an inebriant on the Russian steppe,
the Muscaria is also thought to have played a part in the Soma Ritual of the Rg Veda.

Enjoy your meal.

[TransOxus]

Sounds to me like the meat version of those ridiculous non-alcoholic beer products. How do they substitute the fat and blood found in real meat. No thanks, nothing like this fungus will replace the carnivoric bloodlust of eating a juicy steak.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I am allergic to MSG other flavor enhancers.

People are allergic to milk, this is unfortunate, but no reason not to have dairy products. I am fairly sure that there are allergies among some to nearly every item consumed by humans. Folks with allergies should be aware of them, and certainly it should be easily possible to discover their presence in food. This is not a reason not to have these items available for the non-allergic.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I am beginning to believe that we will have to be the death of about 50 turkeys a year, after all. I don't think I want to try barbequing a fungal turkey.

Do not think that it is a good idea to barbeque anything which has absolutely no fat. Of course you can grill veggies and suchlike, but you have to add some sort of fat or oils to them.