Quorn an ecofriendly mycofood meat substitute

photo from www.quorn.com

For several years Quorn has been marketed as a tasty meat substitute for vegetarians.  It is made from the soil mold Fusarium venenatum.  Its fibrous quality gives it a similar texture to chicken or turkey.  For some individuals Quorn can cause a stomach ache.  As of right now there does not appear to be a way of determining if the Quorn will agree with a person or not without trying it.  If one is adventurous it would be prudent to try it in small quantities to determine if works for you.   Putting it out as a meat substitute at a neighborhood barbeque may not be the best option unless everyone has prevously had a good experience with the food.

MSNBC reports that the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has been pressuring the FDA to pull Quorn from the shelves or add a warning label to the product.  Some consumers have reported reactions of throat tightening after ingesting the product which resolved after they took antihistamines.   There is some question if the adverse reactions to the product are considered food intolerance or an allergic reaction.  The CSPI has compiled adverse reactions from US, European and Australian customers. 

A Quorn spokesman related that the intolerance for Quorn is less than that for eggs, shelfish and other foods.  As the exclusive patent for this product will be running out expect to see this protein source in other foods not labled as Quorn. 

Thomas M. Burton of the Wall Street Journal provides additional background on the controversy listing a 56 year old Minnesota women, Ginney Linnham's adverse reaction to the turkey subsitute last year.  He also quotes Dr. Ves Dimov, A University of Chicago allergist who reviewed a case of Quorn allergy in a colleague's patient.  "The warning should mention that patients allergic to mold and eggs can have a severe reaction."

Fusarium spp. photo N. Carlson