Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Fusarium venenatum
Introduction
Fusarium venenatum is a fungus, more precisely a mold, from which a mycoprotein can be derived.
It is used in the manufacture of Quorn, a meat substitute marketed to vegetarians.
In 2003 the Center for Science in the Public Interest issued the claim that the mycoprotein used in Quorn can be gastrotoxic, causing severe vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea in susceptible individuals.[1] The manufacturer of Quorn disputes the figure, claiming that only 0.0007% (1 in 146,000) suffers adverse reactions.[2] Leslie Bonci, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, has described the CSPI’s claims as “overblown”.[3]