Rhiza mycoprotein
In 2025, Health Canada received a submission to allow the sale of Rhiza Mycoprotein, which is a non-viable dehydrated mycelium biomass of a non-genetically modified, environmental isolate of Neurospora crassa for use as an alternative protein and a source of dietary fiber in meat, poultry, seafood, meat alternative, and dairy analog products.
In order to determine whether Rhiza Mycoprotein could be sold in Canada as food, the scientists at Health Canada conducted a scientific assessment that ensured this product is safe for consumption. Our scientists considered how the product was developed, the specifications and manufacturing method, the intended uses, including its predicted dietary exposure in the Canadian population, its nutritional composition, its microbiological safety, and whether it could be toxic or cause allergic reactions.
Scientists with expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry, and nutrition conducted a thorough analysis of the data and the protocols provided by the applicant to ensure the validity of the results.
Following this assessment, it was determined that the proposed use of Rhiza Mycoprotein did not pose a nutritional, microbiological, toxicological, or allergenic risk to consumers.
Health Canada's assessment of Rhiza Mycoprotein was conducted according to the Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods. The approach taken by Health Canada in the safety assessment of novel foods is based upon scientific principles developed through expert international consultation over the last 20 years with agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The approach taken by Canada is currently applied by regulatory agencies around the world in countries such as the European Union, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.