U.K. Government Stands Behind Quorn

U.K. Government Stands Behind Quorn

LONDON--The Food Standards Agency (FSA) (www.foodstandards.gov.uk)rejected claims by the U.S. Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)regarding the safety of the mycoprotein, Quorn. In August, CSPI had alsopetitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to look at the food allergiesassociated with Quorn.

"Any protein-containing food has the potential to cause an allergicreaction," said FSA Director of Food Safety Policy Jon Bell, who added thatwhen Quorn was first approved in the United Kingdom 15 years ago, it was shownto carry a low level of intolerance for the U.K. population--as little as 1 in146,000. "However, it is important to recognize that several commonlyconsumed foods and food ingredients have much higher intolerance levels thanthis. For example, the intolerance to soy is reported to be 1 in 300."