The mushroom market is booming. From coffee blends to beauty supplements, fungi have evolved from fresh produce staples into high-margin wellness ingredients.
With grocery store mushroom sales surging by 20% over the past decade, brands are looking beyond button mushrooms to functional varieties to capture consumers’ attention.
However, entering this lucrative market means understanding which mushrooms, in what formats, you can legally use in the EU.
Novel food regulation draws critical distinctions between traditional culinary use and newer applications. Getting your use cases wrong can result in product recalls, regulatory penalties and damaged brand reputation.
Why have mushrooms become so popular?
The surge in mushroom consumption can be attributed to more than the vegetable’s umami flavours. The rise of vegetarian, vegan and ‘flexitarian’ diets has established mushrooms as a popular meat substitute.
Consumers are also drawn to mushrooms for their health benefits. Many mushrooms are being researched for nootropic and adaptogenic properties, particularly for supporting brain health, mood stability and resilience to stress.
Functional mushrooms are appealing to wellness brands as they’re incredibly versatile. In addition to being used whole (fresh or dried), mushrooms can be transformed into consumer-friendly formats such as:
- Capsules
- Coffees, teas and cold beverages
- Gummies
- Powders (e.g. for smoothies)
- Tinctures
But before you can press on with production, you need to get familiar with the regulatory frameworks that govern these functional ingredients.
Understanding EU mushroom regulations
Not all mushrooms are created equal in the eyes of regulators. The EU's Novel Food Regulation (2015/2283) draws a crucial distinction between traditional culinary mushrooms and newer functional varieties.
A "novel food" is any food or ingredient that wasn't consumed to a significant degree within the EU before May 15th 1997. While the fruiting bodies of some mushrooms may have a long history of consumption, their mycelium (root-like structures) or concentrated extracts might be classified as novel foods and therefore require pre-market authorisation.
Understanding these distinctions is essential for:
- Determining which mushroom ingredients you can legally use
- Identifying what health claims you can make
- Avoiding costly product recalls or regulatory action
- Building consumer trust through compliant marketing
Let's examine some of the most popular functional mushrooms and their current regulatory status:
Chaga
What are the health benefits of chaga mushrooms?
Chaga mushrooms are known for their antioxidant content, which supports the body's natural inflammatory response while promoting digestive, liver and skin health. Their powerful adaptogens can help combat oxidative stress and may contribute to healthy ageing.
What's the novel food status of chaga mushrooms?
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) presents an interesting regulatory case in the EU. The fruiting body and water/ethanol extracts are not considered novel when used in food supplements, as they were in use before 1997.
However, the same ingredients are considered novel for any other food applications beyond supplements. As a result, you can include chaga mushrooms in your supplement line, but adding them to foods or beverages requires novel food authorisation.
Cordyceps
What are the health benefits of cordyceps?
Often called the "Olympic mushroom," cordyceps is associated with cardiovascular health and physical performance. Rich in adenosine, cordyceps may enhance respiratory function and oxygen absorption, potentially improving both brain function and muscle performance. Athletes particularly value its ability to support endurance and recovery.
What's the novel food status of cordyceps?
Cordyceps militaris (both mycelium and fruiting body) is classified as a novel food in the EU. This means any products containing cordyceps require pre-market authorisation before they can be sold. Brands must navigate the novel food application process or source from suppliers who have already obtained authorisation.
King trumpet
What are the health benefits of king trumpet mushrooms?
King trumpet mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) have high levels of ergothioneine: a master antioxidant with its own cellular transport mechanism. Unlike the nutrients our bodies produce, ergothioneine must come from dietary sources. King trumpets also provide selenium and have shown potential for supporting healthy cholesterol levels, weight management and bone health.
What's the novel food status of king trumpet mushrooms?
The king trumpet mushroom’s dehydrated mycelium powder is considered a novel food in the EU.
Lion's mane
What are the health benefits of lion's mane mushrooms?
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) has captured attention for its potential cognitive support properties, as some scientific studies have shown it may promote focus, concentration and mood stability. These distinctive mushrooms contain compounds that may support nerve growth factor, potentially helping maintain memory function and mental clarity. Many lion’s mane users report reduced brain fog and improved mental sharpness.
What's the novel food status of lion's mane mushrooms?
Lion's mane demonstrates the complexity of novel food regulations. The fruiting body and aqueous extract powder are not considered novel, giving brands flexibility in product development. However, dehydrated mycelium powder is classified as novel and therefore requires authorisation. This differentiation means traditional preparations are generally acceptable, while newer mycelium-based products face additional regulatory hurdles.
Reishi
What are the health benefits of reishi mushrooms?
Known as the "mushroom of immortality" in traditional practices, reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) are thought to have adaptogenic properties that can help the body manage occasional stress. Many consumers value these mushrooms for supporting healthy sleep cycles and promoting relaxation. Their perceived ability to help manage overthinking and support restful sleep makes them popular in evening wellness routines.
What's the novel food status of reishi mushrooms?
Similar to lion's mane, reishi has a split regulatory status. The fruiting body and aqueous extract powder are not novel foods in the EU. However, dehydrated mycelium powder is considered novel and therefore requires additional authorisation.
Shiitake
What are the health benefits of shiitake mushrooms?
Beyond their culinary popularity, shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) provide valuable beta-glucans that support immune and cardiovascular health. They offer antioxidant properties that help combat free radicals and may support overall wellness.
What's the novel food status of shiitake mushrooms?
The fruiting body and aqueous extract powder of shiitake mushrooms are not novel foods, but their dehydrated mycelium powder is novel. However, there's an authorised novel food category for mycelial extract, meaning some shiitake extracts have successfully completed the authorisation process and can be used under specific conditions.
Tremella
What are the health benefits of tremella mushrooms?
Tremella fuciformis belongs to the adaptogenic mushroom family, helping the body maintain balance in response to occasional stress. These mushrooms have been shown to possess neuroprotective properties, supporting brain health and the function of healthy nerve cells. Their ability to promote normal cell turnover adds to their appeal in beauty formulations.
What's the novel food status of tremella mushrooms?
According to mushroom supplement providers, tremella extracts and powders can be used in foods, beverages or food supplements under current EU regulations. However, brands should always verify the specific regulatory status of tremella ingredients with appropriate authorities to ensure compliance.
Turkey tail
What are the health benefits of turkey tail?
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) have gained recognition for their immune-supporting properties, particularly their content of polysaccharides like PSP and PSK. These compounds may help stimulate immune function and have shown promise in supporting gut health through prebiotic effects.
What's the novel food status of turkey tail?
Turkey tail mushroom (formerly known as Coriolus versicolor) is fully classified as a novel food, requiring authorisation before use in any food products. This classification has significant implications for brands looking to incorporate this functional mushroom into your formulations.
Create compliant mushroom products with expert food law support
As the functional mushroom market expands, success will belong to brands that strike a balance between innovation and regulatory compliance.
The distinction between novel and non-novel ingredients, the variations between fruiting bodies and mycelium, and the specific conditions for authorised novel foods all require expert interpretation.
At Hooley Brown, we specialise in helping food, beverage and food supplement brands meet novel food regulations and create compliant EU health claims.
Our experts can ensure your functional mushroom products meet legal requirements while maximising their market potential.
Book a free call with our Director, Clare Daley to discuss how we can support your business.
