Lion Mane Mushroom Powder Risk Analysis

Hi All, 

My colleague and I are reviewing a new ingredient for use in our protein bar manufacturing process.  We have our ingredient risk assessment grouped by food categories. (ie. Flours, grains, emulsifiers, fruits, peanuts etc…) We are unclear as to what category we should classify our new ingredient, Lions Mane Mushroom Powder that is manufactured into our ready to eat bar.  

This ingredient is simply dried ground mushrooms.

We have reviewed the FDA Hazard analysis list of ingredients for risk-based foods and have found nothing for fungi.  I find it hard to believe that this would not be considered a risky ingredient.

Any support or guidance would be much appreciated.

Interesting mushroom that you are going to be using - really cool looking and lots and lots of great benefits.  With that said not sure why there is no risk classification for it other than "mushroom" because there have been reported cases of allergic reactions and including difficulty in breathing and skin rashes.

maybe  vegetable powder?

my list below is just generic

Insect filth

Heavy metals

Pesticides

Microbes? Inherent or post handling

maybe other toxins (afla or ochra)

of course,as Glen said... allergens or any other additives that may be added 

you may also have some fraud going on ..maybe another cultivar ,cheap but not as potent, grounded in?

In Canada, mushrooms are considered NRTE, so you need to ensure that the ground mushrooms have gone through a kill step and are free from salmonella/listeria/e coli