Call for comment on mushroom chitosan as a preservative
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of a preservative derived from mushrooms.
Chitosan is a substance with antimicrobial properties found in the shells of crustaceans and cell walls of fungi.
The application seeks approval to use mushroom chitosan, extracted from white button mushrooms, as a preservative in food and beverage products.
FSANZ’s safety assessment found no public health or safety concerns with the proposed use of mushroom chitosan. It is approved for use in other countries including the US, Canada, Japan and South Korea.
If mushroom chitosan is included in a food product, it must be declared on the label as ‘preservative’ with the term ‘mushroom chitosan’ in brackets.
Submissions close at 11.59 pm AEST on 6 May 2025.
For more information or to make a submission, click here.
NZ food scientist recognised for impactful protein study
A three-year global protein quality study that provides valuable insights for the food industry...
Beta-casein protein preparation from a GM source being assessed by FSANZ
An application to permit BCPP1 as an ingredient in dairy substitutes, protein beverages and baked...
Shaking up whey protein manufacturing technique
A new whey protein manufacturing technique has the potential to make better tasting and smoother...
