A Food Fight Over a Fungus - (Soylent Green or Quorn-flakes?)

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 12, 2004 | Rosie Mestel - Times Staff Writer

[UnklGene]

A Food Fight Over a Fungus - (Soylent-Green or Quorn-Flakes?)

Rosie Mestel - Times Staff Writer

Quorn, a substitute for meat, has been eaten by millions in Europe, but a U.S. activist says the 'odious' product is literally sickening.

STOKESLEY, England — Refrigerated trucks trundle down the pretty country lanes laden with pale, doughy masses of fungus — 32 tons or more a day.

"Pure mycoprotein — good enough to eat, won't taste of anything, very bland," declares manufacturing manager Pete Willis, tearing off a golf-ball-sized sample from a 2,000-pound glob.

Workers in white boots shepherd the fungal paste through a sea of vats and clanking machines that mix, press, slice and dice the raw dough.

What comes out at the end is a matter of perspective — luscious artificial meat patties that taste just like moist chicken, or dangerous vat-grown "vomit-burgers" that are sickening consumers from coast to coast.

The product is "Quorn," a fungus-based meat substitute that millions of Europeans have eaten for years. It entered the U.S. market in 2002 to rave reviews by consumers, but was quickly met with a dogged anti-Quorn campaign by an influential consumer group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest...excerpt

[UnklGene]

I'm sorry, Rudder. Lack of sleep. Here's the link:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-quorn12mar12,1,3891084.story

[Old Professer]

When I was a kid we used to have ckakes of yeast in the house that were purchased at the local market; whatever they were used for it was of no concern to me for I would eat them whole if allowed.

[kaktuskid]

I would think so. Vegemite definitely doesn't 'taste just like chicken'.

More like beef flavored axle grease!

[Old Professer]

Cakes; I'm never going to get used to this new keyboard.

[cyborg]

My best girl pal's son lives off this stuff, and claims it improves his game in mini-cricket. What does he know? He's only seven! *LOL*

[Constitution Day]

Different strokes, I guess.
FWIW, I can't get my wife to eat pork rinds. :)

Don't get me started on that Anchovette stuff.

---

[cyborg]

I don't even want to know. I've only heard stories :-)

[Junior]

If CSPI hates it, I gotta try it.

[Viking2002]

As if some of us didn't have enough fermenting in our intestinal tracts........

[SquirrelKing]

When I first read about it here on FR, I said I would never try it, but when I got the chance to give my opinion about it I changed my mind and got over my doubts about it.

I had doubts too, but my wife has worked wonders with the stuff. Doesn't beat good ol' yardbird but it's way better than packed, pressed, parts-is-parts nuggets and frozen chicken patties.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!