Somerset farm launches legal challenge against FSA “Novel Food” ban on ancient medicinal mushrooms.
- Bristol Fungarium is launching a legal challenge after the FSA reclassified Turkey Tail and Cordyceps militaris as “novel foods”
- The novel food classification requires an expensive authorisation process that small producers say is difficult to meet.
- A public fundraising campaign has been launched to support legal representation and evidence gathering.
Bristol Fungarium, a leading UK producer of organic, UK‑grown functional mushroom extracts, has announced a legal challenge against the Food Standards Agency (FSA) following the forced removal of Turkey Tail and Cordyceps militaris products from sale.
The decision, based solely on “novel food” classification, was not prompted by any safety concerns, adverse reports, or evidence of harm.
Turkey Tail and cordyceps mushroom products are now being removed from UK shelves and cannot be legally sold as food or supplements due to a new crackdown by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) re-classifying these mushrooms as “novel foods” because they lacked “significant consumption” in the UK/EU before May 15, 1997.
What is novel food?
Under current regulations, a food is considered “novel” if it was not officially recognised as being consumed in Europe before 15 May 1997.
This classification triggers a costly authorisation process that can exceed £250,000 – a barrier that disproportionately affects small producers.
“This is not a safety issue, it’s a regulatory mismatch,” said Tom Baxter, founder of the Bristol Fungarium. “Turkey Tail has been used safely for centuries, and modern research supports its immune‑modulating properties. Yet we are being penalised because the framework hasn’t kept pace with science or global historical use.”
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most extensively researched functional mushrooms worldwide. Studies referenced by the U.S. National Cancer Institute highlight its immune‑supporting compounds, including PSK and PSP. Cordyceps militaris has similarly been investigated for its effects on energy, vitality, and respiratory health.
“We are not asking for special treatment,” Baxter continued. “We are asking for proportionate, evidence‑informed regulation. The current system favours corporations who can afford six‑figure authorisation fees while excluding small, transparent, research‑driven producers. That does not protect consumers, it restricts them.”
Show your support
To challenge the ruling, Bristol Fungarium has launched a public fundraising campaign with a target of £50,000. Funds will support legal representation, historical and scientific evidence gathering, laboratory analysis, and regulatory submissions.
“This fight goes beyond our business,” Baxter said. “It’s about protecting the public’s right to natural wellness. If regulators can ban Turkey Tail despite centuries of safe use and strong scientific interest, what comes next? We need a regulatory system that reflects reality, not outdated definitions.”
Bristol Fungarium has already contributed £5,000 to the campaign and is calling on supporters to help ensure continued access to these traditional and scientifically studied mushrooms.
“Clear communication”
Heather Rosa, Dean of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, said: “Any regulatory change can understandably cause concern, especially when it affects foods or ingredients that people feel have supported their wellbeing. While we cannot comment on the specifics of the FSA’s decision, we recognise that many traditional foods have long histories of safe cultural use, and it is important that this context is carefully considered alongside modern regulatory frameworks.
“For individuals who regularly use these mushrooms, the uncertainty may feel unsettling. What matters now is clear communication, so consumers understand why restrictions are being introduced and what evidence is being reviewed,” she added.
“Access to safe, well‑regulated natural wellness products is important to many people in the UK, and we hope that future discussions continue to balance consumer choice, historical use, and scientific evaluation.”
