Mushroom supplements and novel foods: what is and isn’t allowed in the EU?
Short answer: Whether a mushroom is allowed in a supplement in the EU depends on the species and the part used: neither may be an unauthorized novel food. The fruiting bodies of lion's mane and reishi are permitted, but dried mycelium from these species is not. Cordyceps militaris is not permitted at all, while Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Samsoniella hepiali are allowed in supplements.
Last updated: November 2, 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin
Novel food sounds like something for lawyers. Yet it simply determines what a mushroom supplement may contain, and even which part of the mushroom.
That is why our lion's mane and reishi powders and capsules say "fruiting body." Below, I explain why that matters.
What exactly is novel food, and why does it apply to mushrooms too?
In the EU, novel food means any food that was not used to a significant degree for human consumption within the Union before May 15, 1997. Such food may only be marketed after European authorization. For mushrooms, what matters is whether the species and the part used were already eaten before that date.
The definition is set out in Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, Article 3. That regulation has applied since January 1, 2018, replaced Regulation (EC) No. 258/97, and uses May 15, 1997, as the fixed cutoff date.
An unauthorized novel food is an ingredient that falls under the definition but has not (yet) been authorized. Such an ingredient may therefore not be sold in food or supplements.
Which mushrooms are and are not allowed in supplements in the EU?
The fruiting body of lion's mane, reishi, and shiitake, and the fungus chaga are allowed in European supplements; chaga is allowed only there, not as a regular food. Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Samsoniella hepiali are also permitted in supplements. Cordyceps militaris and dried mycelium from lion's mane, reishi, and shiitake are not permitted because they are considered unauthorized novel foods.
| Mushroom | Permitted in supplements | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane (bearded tooth mushroom, Hericium erinaceus) | Fruiting body | Dried mycelium powder is novel food (EU consultation, 2019) |
| Reishi (varnished conk, Ganoderma lucidum) | Fruiting body | Dried mycelium powder is novel food (EU consultation, 2019) |
| Chaga (birch polypore, Inonotus obliquus) | Yes, in food supplements | As a regular food (for example, loose tea), novel food (Finland, 2024) |
| Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly Cordyceps sinensis) | Yes, in food supplements | Wild material is scarce; ask for species confirmation |
| Samsoniella hepiali (including Cs-4) | Yes, in food supplements (confirmed in 2025) | Often sold as "cordyceps" |
| Cordyceps militaris | No | Unauthorized novel food; the NVWA finds it on the Dutch market |
| Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) | Fruiting body | Common food, cook thoroughly. Dried mycelium powder is novel food (2019) |
Sources: the European Commission consultations, NVWA, 2025, NutraIngredients, 2025, and the EU Novel Food Catalogue. The status may change, so always check the current catalogue.
Why is the fruiting body of lion's mane permitted, but not the mycelium?
The fruiting body of lion's mane has been eaten for a long time, giving it a history of use before 1997. Dried mycelium, usually grown on grain, is a newer production form without that history. That is why the same species may or may not be permitted in the EU, depending on which part of the mushroom is in the product.
For lion's mane, reishi, shiitake, maitake, and oyster mushroom, the European Commission reached that conclusion about dried mycelium powder in October 2019. To learn more about what the difference between the two parts means, read fruiting body vs. mycelium.
Are extracts of lion's mane, reishi and chaga allowed?
The EU has explicitly confirmed this for a number of extracts from the fruiting body. According to a consultation dated September 10, 2026, a water extract of the fruiting body of lion's mane, reishi and shiitake is not a novel food, including in ordinary foods. A similar water extract of chaga is not a novel food only in food supplements.
In February 2025, rulings were issued on extracts obtained from the fruiting body using ultrasonic extraction. These are not novel for lion's mane, reishi, shiitake and maitake, and chaga is not novel in supplements.
That does not mean every extract is automatically allowed, because a consultation concerns one specific product and production method. We found no separate consultation for ethanol extracts. Learn how this type of extraction with water and alcohol works in double extraction explained.
How does novel food authorisation work, and how long does it take?
A company wishing to sell a novel food submits an application to the European Commission. The European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, assesses its safety within nine months of a valid application. The Commission then has seven months to put forward a decision, and these deadlines can be extended if additional information is needed.
Traditional foods from countries outside the EU follow a shorter route. The product must have been part of the usual diet of a significant number of people in at least one non-EU country for at least 25 years. Member States and EFSA have four months to raise safety objections (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283).
| Step | Deadline under the regulation | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Safety assessment after a valid application | 9 months (extendable) | EFSA |
| Draft decision after assessment | 7 months | European Commission |
| Objections to a traditional food from a third country | 4 months | Member States and EFSA |
| Required history of use as a traditional food | At least 25 years | Applicant demonstrates |
How can you tell if a mushroom supplement is not allowed in the EU?
You can often recognize a mushroom supplement that is not permitted in the EU by the species name Cordyceps militaris on the label, or by the mention of "mycelium" or "myceliated grain" for lion's mane or reishi. If the Latin species name or the part used is missing altogether, you simply cannot check its status.
- "Cordyceps militaris" on the label of a supplement sold in the EU.
- "Mycelium" or "myceliated grain" for lion's mane or reishi.
- No species name or no mention of the part used.
- Sold from a country outside the EU, without a European importer.
A certificate of analysis for each batch helps you check the rest. Read how to read a CoA and which criteria you can use as well.
What does the NVWA do if a supplement contains an unauthorized novel food?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) checks whether dietary supplements on the Dutch market comply with regulations. For Cordyceps militaris, the NVWA inspected 17 Dutch companies between February and April 2025. The NVWA found products containing this species at 5 companies, which had to remove the products from sale.
The NVWA reported foreign suppliers and platforms through the European alert system RASFF. The NVWA advises consumers not to buy products containing Cordyceps militaris, because its safety has not been demonstrated (NVWA, 2025). Read more about the species in our article on cordyceps and EU rules.
What are the limitations of this overview?
The novel food status of a mushroom is not set in stone and can change as new authorizations or interpretations emerge. Moreover, a status of "not novel" only means that an ingredient may be sold. It says nothing about the effectiveness or quality of a specific product.
The EU Novel Food Catalogue is a guide, not a legal text. If in doubt, the NVWA or the European Commission can provide a definitive answer.
Which part of the mushroom is listed on the GOYU label?
The packaging of our lion's mane and reishi powders, capsules, and reishi extract lists "(fruiting body)" in the ingredients, never mycelium. For example, the ingredients list for the lion's mane powder reads "Lions Mane Powder (Hericium erinaceus) (fruiting body)". That exact listing of the species and part is what you should look for on every label, according to the list above.
| Product | Species and part on the packaging | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane powder (60 g) and capsules (500 mg) | Hericium erinaceus, fruiting body | Yes, NL-BIO-01 |
| Reishi powder (60 g) and capsules (500 mg) | Ganoderma lucidum, fruiting body | Yes, NL-BIO-01 |
| Reishi extract capsules (400 mg, 20:1) | Ganoderma lucidum, fruiting body, water and ethanol | No |
The ingredients come from China, and the products are made in the EU. If you’d like to see a batch’s lab report, request it via support@getgoyu.com. The full range is available in the mushroom collection.
Summary in 3 points
- In the EU, novel food is food that was not consumed to a significant degree before May 15, 1997. It needs authorization.
- For mushrooms, both the species and the part matter: the fruiting bodies of lion's mane and reishi are allowed, dried mycelium from those species is not, and Cordyceps militaris is not allowed at all.
- Check the Latin species name and the part listed on the label, and consult the EU Novel Food Catalogue if in doubt.
Frequently asked questions
What is novel food?
A food that was not consumed to a significant degree in the EU before May 15, 1997. It needs authorization before it can be sold.
Is lion's mane legal in the Netherlands?
Yes, the fruiting body is allowed in food supplements. Dried mycelium is not.
Can cordyceps be sold in the Netherlands?
It depends on the species. Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Samsoniella hepiali are allowed in supplements; Cordyceps militaris is not.
Where can I check an ingredient’s status?
In the EU Novel Food Catalogue and on the European Commission’s consultation page. The decisions for each species, part, and production method are listed there.
Is an authorized ingredient automatically safe at every dose?
No. An authorization concerns the status of the ingredient. Always follow the daily dose stated on the packaging.
Sources
- European Parliament and Council of the European Union (2015). Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu
- NVWA (2025). Cordyceps militaris inspection results 2025. nvwa.nl
- NutraIngredients (2025). Cordyceps 'boom' on the horizon as novel food status of S. hepiali clarified. August 29, 2025. nutraingredients.com
- European Commission. Consultation process on novel food status: Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, Grifola frondosa and Pleurotus ostreatus dehydrated mycelium powder, novel food conclusion, October 29, 2019. Hericium, Ganoderma
- European Commission. Consultation process on novel food status: Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), novel food conclusion (use outside food supplements, request by Finland), November 14, 2024. food.ec.europa.eu
- European Commission. Consultation process on novel food status: water extract from the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinula edodes (not novel) and Inonotus obliquus (not novel in food supplements), September 10, 2026. food.ec.europa.eu
- European Commission. Consultation process on novel food status: extract powder from the fruiting body using ultrasonic extraction of lion's mane, reishi, shiitake and maitake (not novel) and chaga (not novel in food supplements), February 28, 2025. food.ec.europa.eu, accessed October 22, 2026.
- European Commission. Novel Food Status Catalogue. food.ec.europa.eu
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, during pregnancy, or when taking medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
