8/5/2002 12:56:58 PM
Mycological Association of Washington provides forum to address the QuornT Controversy. Recently much has appeared in the media about the growing success and controversy surrounding the QuornT company's meat substitute product of the same name. QuornT a line of food products made with mycoproteins from a cultured Fusarium species of fungus. This year over 500,000 boxes of the product has been sold in the US (locally it is offered at Fresh Fields). The popularity of QuornT has been marred by attacks by competitors, some fungus experts, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest who have taken issue with labeling of the product. One major criticism is that QuornT states the product is "mushroom in origin" apparently to help consumers understand what the "mycoprotein" main ingredient actually is. What is all the excitement really about? How is QuornT made? How does it taste? Now you can find out authoritatively about QuornT as well as the issues and criticisms pertaining to it and even participate in the debate! How? David Wilson, VP and General Manager for the US division of Quorn will present the program about QuornT at the Mycological Association of Washington (MAW) August 6 meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm at the Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. The program presentation will begin at 8:00 pm. and is open to the general public. Samples of various recipes made with QuornT will be prepared and made available to MAW members for tasting. People may join MAW during the business portion of the meeting. Annual dues are $20.00 for individual membership or $30.00 for household. Membership in MAW entitles members to receive the newsletter, Potomac Sporophore, which is published four times a year. It informs members of scheduled events and features special interest articles. Members also participate in monthly meetings, held on the first Tuesday of every month, at a designated public library usually in Montgomery Co., MD. Members can also participate in all forays (field events). Members may participate at reduced cost in the Annual Wild Foods and the Annual Wild Fungi tasting dinners. Members may join NAMA (North American Mycological Association) at a reduced rate. MAW is the creator and sponsor of the WASHINGTON MUSHROOM FAIR - an educational event featuring the world of fungi, particularly edible and gourmet mushrooms, which will be held Sunday August 18, 2002 from noon until 5:00pm at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Maryland. Admission to the Washington Mushroom Fair is free. Members of MAW have fun and share interests in great camaraderie! Join us. The Mycologial Association is a not for profit association whose purpose is to disseminate a reliable body of knowledge regarding fungi. Our members join the organization to learn, develop information, and present information about fungi, including the recognition of various wild species, and the collection and use of mushrooms for scientific and culinary purposes. Our active membership extends throughout the metropolitan Washington DC area and into the surrounding mid-Atlantic states. For more information about this event, the Washington Mushroom Fair or the Mycological Association of Washington call (301) 907-3053 or visit our website: http://maw.freeservers.com
Potomac Sporaphore, Washington