Quorn Complaints

Quorn is the brand name of meat substitutes that are made from a vat-grown fungus. Some people have dangerous allergic reactions to the fungus and suffer nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally hives or difficulty breathing. Some people react the first time they eat Quorn, while some react only after building up a sensitivity. At least two deaths have been linked to Quorn. The parents of an 11-year-old California boy sued the maker of Quorn in March 2015.

Medical studies have proven that Quorn's fungal ingredient is an allergen, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency still allow its sale. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit food-safety organization based in Washington, D.C., has heard from more than 2,000 consumers in Europe, the United States, and Australia/New Zealand who suffered reactions to Quorn.

Despite what some of the manufacturer's marketing materials indicate, the fungus used in Quorn is only distantly related to mushrooms, truffles, or morels. While all are members of the fungus kingdom, Quorn is made from a less appetizing fungus (or mold) called Fusarium venenatum.

CSPI urges consumers to avoid Quorn and urges natural-foods retailers like Whole Foods not to sell this product that is dangerous to sensitive individuals.

Quorn Updates

Family Files Lawsuit After Son Dies From Reaction to Quorn
—March 25, 2015

CSPI updates the FDA on harm caused by Quorn (over 1,700 adverse-reaction reports) and calls for a ban.
—November 16, 2011

Consumer Group Warns Australian Food Safety Officials About Quorn Fungus Foods
—September 23, 2010

Makers of Quorn, the Chicken-Flavored Fungus, Sued for Not Disclosing Dangerous Reactions
—September 17, 2009

Victims Urge "Whole Foods" Supermarkets Not To Sell Quorn
—December 9, 2003

Quorn "Fungus Food" Sickens 5% of Eaters
—September 23, 2003

550 Sickened from Quorn Fungus-based Foods
—April 23, 2003

Letter to FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan
—April 23, 2003

Letter to Sir John Krebs, UK Food Standards Agency
—March 21, 2003

CSPI Calls for Recall of "Quorn" Meat Substitute
—August 12, 2002

Read the 8/12/02 press release
Read the 8/12/02 petition to FDA
Read the 5/1/02 press release
Read CSPI's second complaint to the FDA
Read the release for British press
Read the 3/21/02 complaint filed with the EU
Read the 3/21/02 complaint filed with the UK’s Food Standards Agency
Read CSPI's press release
Read CSPI's first complaint to the FDA