Conference for Food Protection

There are currently no standards by which a Regulatory Authority can certify that individuals who collect, inspect and sell wild harvested mushrooms are competent in mushroom identification.

Section 3-201.16 Wild Mushrooms of the FDA Food Code does not provide adequate guidance to Regulatory Authorities for the regulation and enforcement of the collection and sale of wild harvested mushrooms.

While this certification program is still in draft form, we would request CFP's support to proceed with this project for future adoption in the FDA Food Code Annex 3.

Please see attachments (State of Maine):

Wild Mushroom Partnership Proposal

List of Wild Mushroom Species Approved for Sale

Maine Wild Harvested Mushroom Certification Manual

The trade of wild harvested mushrooms is an established and rapidly growing industry that impacts consumers through wholesale, retail and restaurant services. The inability of Regulatory Authorities to effectively regulate and certify individuals as competent to identify mushrooms fosters the back door trading of wild harvested mushrooms and poses a threat to the consumer population through the potential ingestion of mushrooms that have been misidentified.

that a letter be sent to FDA requesting the following language be placed in Annex 3 of the FDA Food Code Section 3-201.16 to present as a model that states can adopt or modify to develop and implement a wild harvested mushroom certification program for their state.

3-201.16 Wild Mushrooms.*

(A) Except as specified in section B, mushroom species picked in the wild shall be identified and found to be safe by a certified mushroom identifier whose competence has been verified and approved by the regulatory authority through the successful completion of a wild mushroom identification course provided by either an accredited college, university or a mycological society. An individual must be certified in the identification of each mushroom species they wish to harvest, buy or sell. An individual who wants to be approved as a certified wild mushroom identifier shall successfully complete a written exam approved by the regulatory authority. That individual shall have on file a current certificate issued by the regulatory authority acknowledging successful completion of the exam.

(A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, mushroom species picked in the wild shall be obtained from sources where each mushroom is individually inspected and found to be safe by an APPROVED mushroom identification expert.

(B) This section does not apply to:

(1) Cultivated wild mushroom species that are grown, harvested, or and processed in an operation that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the operation; or

(2) Wild mushroom species if they are in packaged form and are the product of a FOOD PROCESSING PLANT that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the plant.

(C) Requirements: Wild mushroom species must always be identified while in their fresh state.

(1) At least one party in the initial sales transaction of wild mushrooms must be certified to identify wild harvested mushroom species.

(2) Broker or Wholesaler shall retain records identifying the following information for a period of 90 days:

a) Latin binomial and common name of the mushroom species.

b) Name and address of person who harvested the wild mushroom.

c) Name and certificate number of the person responsible for identifying the wild mushrooms.

d) Quantity of each wild mushroom species purchased from individuals.

(3) Eating Establishments and Food Establishments shall retain records identifying the following information for a period of 90 days.

a) Latin binomial and common name of the mushroom species.

b) Name and certificate number of the person responsible for identifying the wild mushrooms.

c) Quantity of each wild mushroom species purchased from individuals.

(4) Point of Sale: Identification tag must be visible at point of sale stating the above information except quantity of mushrooms and must include the language, "Wild harvested mushrooms must not be eaten raw and should be thoroughly cooked".

(5) Consumer Advisory: A consumer advisory shall inform consumers by brochures, deli case of menu advisories, label statements, table tents, placards, or other effective written means that wild harvested mushrooms may cause allergic reactions, stomach upsets, or other effects.