Mushroom supplement Guide: 8 things to look for on the label

In most countries, mushroom supplements fall under food regulations rather than laws governing medicines. Meaning the label falls under food labelling requirements. These are fairly basic and allow for broad interpretation. Consequently, there is little standard, making it hard for people to compare brands and verify that they are getting what they have paid for.

TL;DR

At the very least, the label should give the following ‘factual’ information about what it contains:

1. β-glucan content: An essential component, should be displayed as a %
2. Extraction method & Ratio: the method should be dual (alcohol & water) and the ratio of the extract provided eg 12:1.
3. Fruit bodies only: It should tell you what part of the mushroom it is made from. If mycelium is used, in most cases it doesn’t add any significant benefit, as it is mainly a filler, mainly the rice substrate the mycelium was grown on.
4. No fillers or binders: These are used to increase the weight of the product.
5. Organic: being a concentrate means being organic is doubly important
6. Additional ingredients: should be listed as a %
7. Tested: Has been tested for contamination like heavy metals & provides links to evidence backing up claims.
8. Botanical name: it should have the scientific name of the mushroom. Many supplement providers swap out the real mushroom for a different one, which does not have the properties of the real one.

If it doesn’t have this information, leave it on the shelf.

What should be on the mushroom supplements label?

1. Beta Glucan content (β-glucan)

This is important as many of fungi’s therapeutic properties are attributed to the β-glucans – the higher the percentage, the better. Having the β-glucan content listed (as a %) demonstrates that the product is probably authentic, and the person making or selling it is likely reputable. Here’s a link to the health benefits of beta glucan

2. The Extraction Method and Ratio

The ratio is an indicator of the concentration or potency of the product. Generally, the higher the better. If a ratio is not provided, suspect that it is low, so of little value. The extraction mathod should be dual: meaning both water and alcohol were used for production. If the product doesn’t explicitly state dual, assume only a water extraction was used, resulting in the loss of many of the mushrooms’ essential properties.

The ratio tells you how many dried mushrooms it took to make the extract. For instance, a 12:1 ratio means that 12kg of dried mushrooms were used to make 1kg of finished product. That is a lot of mushrooms, and a reason why supplements can be so expensive. However, at 12:1 it is starting to max out. So if you see something above 16:1 it probably has little additional value.

A note on powders: Although an extract often comes in a powdered form, it is not a mushroom powder. Mushroom powders are merely dried mushrooms ground into a powder. This will be a 1:1 ratio, and much of the mushrooms’ health properties will be locked in the undigestible fibres, so not bioavailable to our bodies. This is also true of eating functional mushrooms raw. You would probably need to eat a huge amount that it’s of little benefit compared to taking it in extract form.

3. Made from Fruit Bodies only, not mycelium.

Ensure that the product description clearly states that it is made from only fruiting bodies. Containing mycelium is generally not a good thing, as it is often used as a filler to bulk up the mix. Mycelium includes the substrate on which the mushroom was grown, usually a grain like rice. Essentially all you are buying is very expensive grain. Some mushroom’s like Lion’s Mane, may have extra compounds in the mycelia, but this is offset if the substrate is included.

There is an exception: where the mycelium was grown on a liquid culture, so no substrate ends up in the mix. This is an exceedingly difficult and expensive process. Most European and US manufacturers, as well as New Zealand growers, grow on grain rather than liquid cultures.

4. Organic

The high ratio (or concentration) of the extract underscores the importance of using organic mushrooms. This high extract ratio implies that any inorganic matter (unwanted substances) may be present in an equally high concentration.

5. No fillers or binders

Similar to the above, some manufacturers will increase the product weight (and watering down the mushroom content) by using fillers. If fillers or binders are used, they diminish the mushroom ratio. Look for a statement that says no fillers or binders. If you don’t see this, assume that they have.

6. Additional ingredients

If the product contains any other ingredients, like in a mushroom coffee, that other ingredients are listed as a percentage. If a tinture, often containing alcohol, the alcohol content displayed. This is a requirement of a food label. In some cases a nutritional content information may also need to be displayed.

7. Tested for heavy metals and other contaminants.

Most therapeutic mushrooms are grown in China, where there is a slight risk that the water used in their cultivation may be contaminated with things like heavy metals. Consequently, all mushrooms intended for supplements should undergo testing for contamination. You should have access to evidence of independent testing. Since the extract is highly concentrated, the presence of heavy metals will be equally amplified.

8. Transparency of the manufacturer

Most countries legally require the manufacturer’s name and complete contact details to be on the label. If these are missing, it’s a clear indication that the manufacturer is not to be trusted. And, very likely the product is not what it claims to be.

• Visit their website and check if their full contact information is easily available. Look for the phone number and business address. If the only contact information is an email address like “hello@”, or a form, that is a sign they are being intentionally obscure.
• While on the website, check to see if they provide evidence to support their claims and 3rd party testing. This evidence should include:
  • laboratory analysis of the mushroom’s quality and concentration (β-glucan, etc.),
  • organic certification,
  • testing for heavy metals or other contaminants.

8. Provides the botanical name

Make sure you know the botanical name of the mushroom, and check this on the label. Some manufactures will list the common name (of the mushroom), but swap it out with a different one. For instance in NZ, Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is very often swapped out with Hericium novae-zealandiae (aka PekePeke-Kiore) or Hericium coralloides (aka Coral Tooth).

Also, Reishi should be Ganoderma lucidum, not Ganoderma applanatum (aka Artist’s Conk or Bracket)

In respect to the Lion’s Mane switch-a-roo in NZ. For bio-security reasons, Lion’s Mane is illegal to grow there, to protect a native species of mushroom known as Peke Peke Kiore.

However, some mushroom growers in NZ have rebranded ‘Peke’ as NZ Lion’s Mane, hoping to capitalise on Lion’s Mane reputation of high nootropic properties. When purchasing most people will think, it’s the ‘real’ Lions Mane that they are buying. Although ‘Peke’ is a distant cousin to Lion’s Mane, it is still an entirely different mushroom with no known therapeutic value (despite the claims otherwise).

These companies are essentially selling people a Skoda and claiming it’s an Audi because it’s made by the same company. At best this is just unethical, at worst, it is probably illegal because it falls under misleading advertising.

Here’s more information about the mushrooms not allowed to be grown in NZ

Red flags

Since there is limited space on the label, many sellers will try to influence your opinion using misleading practices instead.

Be wary of…

• Products making medical or therapeutic claims. Most countries prohibit the use of medical or therapeutic claims unless the manufacturer can provide solid evidence to substantiate them. The practice of making these claims serves as a red flag, suggesting that the company may not be reputable and that the quality of the product is probably questionable.
• Overuse of aspirational claims. Rather than telling you what is ‘in’ the products, the focus is on describing how it will make you feel. They are intentionally not giving you the ability to compare other products by telling you what it is. The product is probably of low quality.

Other words commonly found on labels and their meanings. Consider these as red flags indicating potential issues.

• Full spectrum is code for… it contains mycelium, therefore watered down. Some may claim that there are additional components only found in mycelium, but that’s generally not true.
• Contains β-glucan but does not give you the percentage; it is probably a sign that the product is low quality.
• Mushroom Powder: This is a concerning sign. Powders are typically dried and ground mushrooms, resulting in a low 1:1 ratio. Moreover, many crucial components are located within the fibre, rendering them inaccessible for digestion and absorption, ultimately ending up in the toilet rather than circulating in your bloodstream where they are needed.
• The label doesn’t explicitly state that it’s a supplemented food. In many countries, this is a legal requirement. The absence of which is a strong indicator that the manufacturer lacks knowledge and expertise, suggesting that the product may be of inferior quality.
• No Batch number and BB date: In most countries, this is a legal requirement for food products. Lack of this should signal that the product is probably from a very small manufacturer who is flying under the radar. They probably do not know what they are doing, and are probably cutting other ‘food safety’ corners.

So, what does a good label look like?

It should provide you with good and objective information to compare products and make an informed choice. For instance, it should provide quantities that, when divided by the price, you’ll get a clear indication of value.

• Should have at least 7 of the factual items listed above.
• Prominently display that it is a supplemented food.
• List all contents as a % and in mg, and the number of servings in the container.
• Do not make specific health claims, for example: what the supplement will cure something. However, it may provide a reference saying that the mushroom variety has been known to help with…
• It should have instructions on how to use, servings per day, etc.
• Provides a link to a website with detailed product information, including statements backing up claims
• The name & contact details of the manufacturer.
• Has a batch number and best by date.

Read More

• Consumer NZ Do mushroom supplements and brain drinks really boost your body and mind?
• In the US The FDA regulates supplemented food rather than the USDA. Here is the FDA guide to supplement labeling
• In Australia supplemented foods FSANZ. Australia food content and health claims
• In NZ MPI regulates Supplemented food and dietary supplements

• More info about Beta-glucans from edible and medicinal mushrooms

Looking for quality mushroom supplements?

We have a good variety in our shop. In addition to using the best mushroom extracts we can find, we also provide you with all the right information to help you make a decision.