North American Reishi Ltd (Nammex), a Canada-based organic mushroom extract ingredient supplier, filed a citizen petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The petition, according to the company, requests that FDA addresses the mislabeling of dietary supplements and functional foods as “mushroom” or containing “mushrooms” when they do not, or fail to disclose added grain ingredients. For instance, according to the company, products should not be labeled as “mushroom” when they contain fungal parts of mushrooms, such as mycelium, but not actual mushrooms.

“Given the explosive growth the mushroom category is undergoing and entry of new companies marketing products with fungal ingredients that may not be aware of the regulatory requirements, it made sense to undertake this action now.” said Jeff Chilton, founder of Nammex. “We hope to raise awareness of the mislabeling problem that exists today in the U.S., and obtain FDA regulatory guidance  on the labeling of mushrooms and other fungal ingredients to ensure truth-in-labeling. When consumers buy a product labeled as ‘mushroom,’ they should feel confident that they are getting a genuine mushroom product.”

The petition, according to Nammex, asks that FDA clarifies that proper listing of ingredients from fungi on product labels includes identification of the part of the fungal organism from which the ingredient is derived; that FDA issues industry guidance regarding the proper labeling of fungal ingredients, including a “Glossary of Mycological terms;” and that FDA increases regulatory enforcement to ensure foods and dietary supplements containing fungal ingredients are accurately labeled, and take appropriate action against products incorrectly labeled as “mushroom.”

For more information, visit www.nammex.com.