NDR Test Finds Maggots, Worms, and Plastic in Porcini Mushroom Products from the Supermarket
Mushroom experts found maggot-eaten tunnels and layers of olive-green tubes in frozen mushrooms sold by EDEKA and Niklas.
The NDR consumer magazine *Markt* had various porcini mushroom products from the supermarket tested: frozen porcini mushrooms, a porcini mushroom pizza, and dried porcini mushrooms. The results are alarming—maggot-eaten areas, stale mushroom parts, and in some cases maggots or worms were found in nearly all of the products tested. One product contained a plastic thread. Mushroom experts and consumer protection agencies classify several products as unfit for consumption and view this as a violation of the guidelines for edible mushrooms and mushroom products.
The NDR had frozen porcini mushrooms from the “EDEKA” (Herzstücke) and “Niklas” (premium quality, available at Kaufland) brands evaluated by independent experts. For both products, mushroom experts Nadja Frotscher of the German Society for Mycology and top chef Jens Rittmeyer identified defects: maggot-eaten tunnels in the stems and caps, olive-green to brownish gills, and a soft, mushy consistency when prepared. The mushroom expert warns: Severe maggot damage can lead to protein decomposition and, consequently, digestive upset. The same results were found in other packages of frozen mushrooms. A plastic thread was also discovered in the “Niklas” brand frozen mushrooms.
Britta Schautz of the Berlin Consumer Advice Center criticizes: “The guidelines for edible mushrooms and mushroom products state that the products should be virtually free of parts with extensive worm damage. And for porcini mushrooms, it is further specified that the tubes must not have an olive-green color but must be lighter in color.” The consumer advocate views this as a violation of the guidelines for both products.
In response to an inquiry, “EDEKA” writes that the worm damage is “… not recognizable as such.” The structures correspond to the “… natural tissue structure of the mushroom.” They conduct “in-house inspections” “based on the quality requirements described in the guidelines (…).” “Niklas” replied to NDR: “A green or olive-green layer of tubes is (…) not evidence that the mushroom is spoiled or harmful to health. An insect infestation can ‘… not be 100% ruled out.’ A plastic thread, of course, does not meet our quality standards.”
In the “Marziale” Pizza Porcini with porcini mushrooms, available at EDEKA, the experts found dark tubes and worm-eaten tunnels. Upon opening a second pizza, an entire worm was discovered.
When contacted by NDR, the manufacturer “Marziale” stated that it takes the discovery “… very seriously” and will use it as an opportunity to “… take a closer look.”
A random sample of dried porcini mushrooms from supermarkets and organic stores also revealed heavy maggot infestation, very long tunnels, an unpleasant odor, and a visible maggot. The laboratory analysis commissioned by NDR also found elevated levels of Bacillus cereus in all products tested—a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. The problem is that there are currently no binding limit or warning values for dried porcini mushrooms.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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