THE TRUTH ABOUT
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
MUSHROOMS
Summary
Currently, shiitake mushroom logs are being imported from China at an alarming rate. Under the guise of 'spawn', fully incubated and colonized logs made out of 100% Chinese materials are being fruited in the United States, and labeled as Product of USA.
The logs are made of Chinese water, Chinese sawdust, Chinese grain and Chinese spawn.
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These logs are transported to the USA in shipping containers, are fruited in grow houses, and the end product is labeled as Product of USA. Additionally - these mushrooms are also being certified Organic by select US Certifiers.
ADD INFOGRAPHIC HERE
Why this is a problem?
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People have a right to know where their food comes from. These growing blocks are made out of entirely Chinese products - with the only necessary element from the United States being air and creating ideal temperatures. Using a Product of USA label on this mushrooms is completely misleading for the customer.
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The United States has been importing mushrooms for years - a large majority of mushrooms consumed in the US are knowingly from China, and are labeled Product of China. If a food is labeled Product of USA - it should be created using natural resources from the US. The USDA has an obligation to be honest to consumers about where their food is coming from, and to have honest and transparent labeling on all food.
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Eating local foods that are produced using environmentally mindful practices can significantly decrease your carbon footprint and can enhance your local economy.
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Exotic mushroom farming in the US is a growing agricultural field. This growth requires sharing of knowledge between experienced and beginner farmers - the fruiting of imported blocks requires minimal to no technical knowledge. If this knowledge is allowed to disappear - generations of agricultural knowledge will be lost.
