What can you tell me about Quorn?

As a relatively new vegetarian (4 months!), I am curious about Quorn. I've eaten a couple of times, but I'm not sure what the thinking is about its safety.

I know the Center for Science in the Public Interest is dead set against it, but they can tend to be a bit militant and biased.

Is there an objective source of information available about how Quorn was created, how it is produced, how it is metabolised and its long-term effects?

Do any of you have anecdotal evidence about Quorn, good or bad?

Any information would be of use to me.

Thanks!

I've eaten it a few times. Don't mind it but don't love it either. Since I'm not a vegetarian, it was more to see what it was about than to find something else to add to my diet.

I did find this online though:

http://www.undueinfluence.com/milloy.htm

Hi Carla

As a new veggie you might find the Vegetarian Society website useful: http://www.vegsoc.org/index.html

There are a few articles on Quorn on there.  I'm not aware of any adverse information. I believe it contains eggs though so no good if you are vegan. Personally, I find the flavours quite strong in their products so apart from the (chicken style) Quorn pieces I don't eat it regularly.  There are other brands of meat substitue that you might like eg Beanfeast or Realeat and Cauldron foods does great veggie sausages.

I love Cauldron's products, particularly the peppery Cumberland sausages.

I just ate Quorn tonight. It's only the third time I've tried it. I just feel uneasy about it, so I guess we will stay away from it.

About Cauldron:  Just thought I would let you guys know - that at the Cauldron Factory in Portishead (one town over from me) the quality control inspector is AMERICAN!    She lives here in Clevedon.

Personally, I find every Quorn product except the breaded chicken patties fantastic. I think they are better than any other veggie product I have tasted to this point. I still have yet to try Linda Mcartney's line but will do when I am back in the UK.

I know Quorn is not for vegans as there are dairy products within it but as a vegetarian, you should have no problem.

The sausages and the chicken fillets are the best. I feed them to a VERY big meat eater (my boyfriend) and he likes them a lot. There are a lot of different choices within their line including deli slices.

I can't see how any food produced today can have long term effects posted as we just don't know what's in anything but Quorn seems to be okay from research I have done on it. The links others have posted have good information.

As for Cauldron....yummy! Their peanut veggie burgers are to die for

Although Quorn is a 'new' and patented foodstuff, its basically just mushroom.  I would be more concerned about margerine and other processed so called foods !

Well, I don't eat margarine or any other product that contains transfatty acids, hydrogenated fats, or anything that sounds too far removed from its natural state. And if it isn't edible in its natural state, I won't eat it in its processed state. And Quorn isn't mushroom, it's a fungus that's grown in vats under controlled conditions. I mean, it doesn't matter to me whether others eat it, I've just decided not to eat it.

I still have yet to try Linda Mcartney's line but will do when I am back in the UK.

I have found Linda M to be a bit hit and miss. They used to do these really great "Southern Style Grills" but I don't think they make them any more. Their ready meals are pretty nice but the sausages and burgers are not up to much.  My favourite veggie burgers are Tesco or Sainsbury's own brands and they do great veggie hotdogs too.  I htink Tivall make the Tesco prducts nowadays which would explain why they're so yummy!

I've been eating Quorn products for the better part of a decade, I love them. Especially the "chicken style products".

You can learn about Quorn production here.
You can learn a little of the history here Not truly objctive, but possibly will set your mind at rest. My family has been eating their products since their launch and we seem to be doing just fine

Rosie

because i can't find it anywhere.....do quorn products have soy in them?

I like them, but the hubs can't eat soy products.....wondering if they had a lot of soy in them?

No Aimiloo, they're not soy based. They are made of something called "myco protein" which comes from a fungus.

cool, i read all that....just wanted to check!

i'll look into them. 

Actually a few of them do have soy. But they do tell you on the label. I believe it is the breaded chicken fillets that have soy.

Rosie

awesome.  i think i'm going to try the sausages as part of my brunch for saturday!