Advocating for Transparent Mushroom Packaging with Skye Chilton from Real Mushrooms
NammeX Unleashed:
NammeX, birthed in 1989, is the brainchild of Jeff Chilton, a seasoned mushroom maestro with half a century under his belt. This pioneering company has blossomed into a provider of premium organic mushroom extracts, catering to over 500 firms - from fledgling startups to Fortune 500 giants.
Fast forward to 2014, when Jeff's son, Skye Chilton, joined forces with NammeX. Subsequently, Skye conceptualized Real Mushrooms, NammeX's affiliated consumer line. Embracing transparency, NammeX has become a trailblazer in the realm of mushroom research, analysis, and clean labeling practices.
Recently, NammeX spearheaded a survey of 10,000 individuals. Flying back from a China business trip, Skye Chilton graciously agreed to answering some burning questions.
Vivian K.: What ignited this survey? Why now?
Skye: This survey was a follow-up to our Citizen Petition submitted to the FDA in June 2023. With our peers' support and valuable feedback, we wanted consumer input as well. The survey confirmed our hunch - consumers know what constitutes a mushroom, and this strengthens our transparency fight.
Clarity in product labeling is essential, ensuring consumers know what they're buying. Our survey's findings emphasize this point.
VK: Which parts of the survey results most caught you off guard?
Skye: Frankly, it was surprising that a survey was necessary to clarify what constitutes a mushroom because, despite some disagreements, consumers indeed get it! Imagine a grocery store scenario - asking for mushrooms and getting handed a bag of grains with white stuff on them. No one would entertain that or consider it a mushroom.
VK: So, what precisely are you seeking from the FDA? Why is it advantageous to have them regulate mushroom products? Is this the raison d'être of a survey like this?
Skye: The FDA already governs dietary supplements, including fungal products, under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). Although there are specific regulations on GMP and labeling, there's room for improvement, particularly regarding fungi.
Labeling policies for mycelium-based foods date back to 1976, so why not for dietary supplements? Many consumers believe they're consuming mushrooms when they aren't. We aim to obtain further clarification from the FDA to update their labeling policy, ensuring mushroom-based products are labeled clearly and provide accurate information to consumers.
VK: The majority of the survey participants were 34 and younger. Does this reflect an accurate depiction of the consumer demographic?
Skye: Based on our analytics, the younger segment of the population consumes more dietary supplements, but our survey data skewed a bit on the younger side.
VK: Why has this become such a contentious matter among mushroom suppliers?
Skye: For decades, myceliated grain producers have misled consumers by marketing these ingredients as "mushroom" without disclosing the grain base. The cheaper myceliated grain production method exploits consumers.
VK: In my chat with Ron Teeguarden, he mentioned that selling mycelium products to consumers in China is a severe offense. The Chinese authorities mean business, and they go as far as imprisoning people for marketing reishi mycelium.
Skye: There's some uncertainty regarding this claim, but it might be due to misleading consumers by claiming it's reishi mushroom when it's actually mycelium, which would be considered adulteration. Adulterating products carries severe penalties.
VK: Why, in our Western world, do we lack knowledge about/standards on mushrooms? For instance, in the US, hydroponically-grown blueberries are approved for organic sale.
Skye: Our limited understanding of mushrooms stems from several factors: consumers being familiar only with button mushrooms, the North American mycophobia, and companies keeping consumers confused. Many US-based myceliated grain producers have been peddling misinformation for decades, using the term "mushroom" in their marketing materials while using photos of actual mushrooms.
Our survey verified that consumers perceive a mushroom as a specific organism and are disappointed when they don't find it in the product.
VK: For a long time, I was intrigued by a popular brand selling "cultured chaga mycelium." Given my understanding of chaga's growth process, I couldn't fathom how this brand could peddle "cultured chaga mycelium." What's your take on this? Can cultured chaga mycelium potentially offer the same health benefits as the real thing?
Skye: Chaga is a fascinating example of this predicament. Chaga is neither a mushroom nor pure mycelium but a tree disease. Producing chaga involves nutrients from decomposing matter, making it medicinal. Mass-producing mycelium would not yield these beneficial compounds.
VK: Can mycelium have unique health benefits, like in the case of Lion's Mane?
Skye: Certainly! Mycelium has benefits distinct from mushrooms, but these advantages stem from specific mycelium products like Cordyceps Cs-4, PSP, PSK, and AHCC, which are produced through liquid fermentation. Purifying these products elevates them closer to pharmaceutical standards.
Growing mycelium on a grain substrate where the majority of the resulting ingredient is the grain is vastly different from liquid fermented mycelium, and research should not be used to substantiate myceliated grain.
VK: Is it possible that cultivating certain at-risk mushrooms makes good sense, like Cordyceps, to prevent depleting scarce resources by offering an affordable (though inferior) option?
Skye: Most mushrooms are farmed, so they aren't scarce resources. Cultivating Ophiocordyceps sinensis could be an exception, but it's increasingly being cultivated to ensure sustainability.
The primary reason for producing myceliated grain in North America is cost effectiveness – producing actual mushroom extract powders is simply too expensive.
- Jeff Chilton, the mushroom maestro, founded NammeX in 1989, specializing in premium organic mushroom extracts.
- Skye Chilton, Jeff's son, joined NammeX in 2014 and later introduced Real Mushrooms, NammeX's consumer line.
- In line with transparency, NammeX has become a trailblazer in mushroom research and clean labeling practices.
- NammeX recently conducted a survey of 10,000 individuals regarding consumer understanding of mushroom products.
- The survey confirmed that consumers know what constitutes a mushroom, bolstering NammeX's transparency efforts.
- Clarity in product labeling is essential for consumers to make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
- Surprisingly, it was apparent that a survey was needed to clarify what constitutes a mushroom due to some disagreements among consumers.
- NammeX seeks further clarification from the FDA to update their labeling policy, ensuring mushroom-based products are labeled accurately.
- The FDA already regulates dietary supplements, including fungal products, under DSHEA, but more tightened regulations are required for fungi.
- The majority of survey participants were 34 and younger, which reflects the growing interest in dietary supplements among the younger demographic.
- Misleading consumers by marketing myceliated grain products as "mushrooms" has been a contentious issue among mushroom suppliers for decades.
- Some US-based myceliated grain producers have been disseminating misinformation for years, using the term "mushroom" in their marketing while using photos of actual mushrooms.
- The Chinese authorities penalize severe offenders who sell mycelium products, including imprisonment.
- This stricter enforcement could be due to misleading consumers by claiming it's reishi mushroom when it's actually mycelium, which would be considered adulteration.
- The limited understanding of mushrooms in the Western world is a result of factors such as familiarity with only button mushrooms, North American mycophobia, and companies misleading consumers.
- Many consumers are disappointed when they don't find the mushroom they expect in the product, as the term "mushroom" is often misused.
- The popular brand selling "cultured chaga mycelium" misled consumers, as chaga is neither a mushroom nor pure mycelium but a tree disease.
- Mycelium has unique health benefits distinct from mushrooms, but these advantages come from specific mycelium products that are produced through liquid fermentation.
- Growing mycelium on a grain substrate results in a majority of the resulting ingredient being the grain, which is vastly different from liquid fermented mycelium.
- Research should not be used to substantiate myceliated grain, as it fails to provide the same benefits as actual mushroom extract powders.
- Cultivating certain at-risk mushrooms such as Cordyceps makes sense to prevent depleting scarce resources by offering an affordable (though inferior) option.
- Most mushrooms are farmed, making them not scarce resources, except for Ophiocordyceps sinensis.
- Cordyceps is increasingly being cultivated to ensure sustainability due to its growing demand.
- Mushrooms have traditionally been a popular ingredient in various global cuisines, contributing to their long-standing appreciation.
- Besides their culinary value, mushrooms have gained attention in the health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health sectors due to their potential health benefits.
- Fungi, including mushrooms, have attracted the interest of many entrepreneurs, who are leveraging the scientific research, investing in startups, and creating innovative supplements, ventures, and products.
- In the realm of finances, understanding the market trends and embracing sustainable living can result in adventures in real estate, housing, and personal finance.
- Proper budgeting, debt-management, gardening, home-improvement, and baking are crucial skills needed to maintain a sustainable lifestyle in the long run.
