Lion's mane and reishi are two of the most popular adaptogenic mushrooms sold as supplements. Both are legal in the EU in one common form — and both require special authorisation in another.
The real rule: it's about the form, not the species
The EU's Novel Food Catalogue classifies a food as "novel" if it wasn't consumed to a significant degree in the EU before 15 May 1997. This test is applied to the specific form and preparation method of an ingredient — not simply to the species name. A mushroom that's perfectly legal as one preparation can require full novel food authorisation as another, from the exact same organism.
Lion's mane: fruiting body legal, mycelium powder restricted
According to the Novel Food Status Catalogue, the fruiting body of lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) has a documented history of significant human consumption in the EU before May 1997 and is therefore not novel — it can be sold in food supplements without pre-market authorisation. The same general principle extends to non-concentrated water (aqueous) extracts of the fruiting body. Dehydrated mycelium powder, however, is a different matter: without an established history of consumption in that specific form, it's classified as novel and requires formal authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 before it can be legally sold.
Reishi follows the same split
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) shows the identical pattern: the fruiting body and aqueous extract powder are not novel and can be marketed freely, while dehydrated mycelium powder is classified as novel and requires authorisation, since there's no equivalent pre-1997 consumption history for that specific processed form.
Why this distinction exists
The reasoning is that mycelium — the root-like network a fungus grows from — is structurally and compositionally different from the fruiting body most people think of as "the mushroom," and isolating or concentrating it into a powder is treated as a meaningfully different food product from a regulatory standpoint, even from the same species.
How to check a specific product
- Check the ingredient list for exactly what part of the mushroom is used: "fruiting body," "mycelium," or "mycelium powder" should be stated.
- If it says fruiting body or aqueous/water extract, this is very likely compliant without special authorisation for lion's mane and reishi specifically.
- If it says mycelium powder, verify the specific product or supplier has obtained novel food authorisation — don't assume it's covered by the general fruiting body rule.
- For other adaptogenic mushrooms or plants beyond lion's mane and reishi, check the EU Novel Food Catalogue directly by name, since the fruiting-body exemption doesn't automatically extend to every species.
What this means practically
- Lion's mane and reishi supplements aren't banned in the EU — the common fruiting body and water extract forms are fully legal without special authorisation.
- Mycelium powder versions of the same mushrooms are treated as a separate, novel product requiring its own authorisation.
- Always check the exact ingredient description on the label — "extract" alone isn't specific enough to know which category applies.
- This form-specific approach applies broadly across novel food regulation, not just to mushrooms — always verify the specific preparation, not just the ingredient name.
Sources
- European Commission — Novel Food Status Catalogue consultation record for Lion's Mane extract powder: food.ec.europa.eu
- Functional Mushrooms EU — Species-by-species novel food status guide for lion's mane and reishi: functionalmushrooms.eu
Related Kibbo Tools
- Novel Foods Directory — check the current status of a specific mushroom or botanical ingredient.