Wild Mushroom Food Safety Certification

This is a 5 year mushroom foraging permit that will allow for sale of wild, foraged mushrooms. The class is a 2 day event, hosted several times a year in different regions. Every state has slightly different rules, which are taught in each class by one of our 5 instructors. Signups will receive a study guide and slides 1 month ahead of the class.

  • Multiple state program
  • 5 year certification
  • Taught by approved and experienced instructors
  • Online recertification and program updates

This permit may be valid in other states that have adopted a Code 13 policy, your state can contact us to evaluate and approve this permit for your state’s food safety authority.

This permit allows for sale of wild foraged mushrooms in the following states:
South Carolina | Georgia | Rhode IslandNorth Carolina | Virginia | Pennsylvania | New York Alabama | New Hampshire

Email us at sporeprints@gmail.com with any questions.

State-by-State Approved Species List

Includes Additional Health Safety Protocols (Updated July 2023)

SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA,  RHODE ISLAND

  • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
  • Morels (Morchella spp.)
  • Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
  • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
  • Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
  • Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
  • Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
  • Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
  • Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levisP. dryinus)
  • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
  • Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
  • Blewit (Lepista nuda)
  • Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
  • Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
  • Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactarius corrugisL.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
  • Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)

SC & RI Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 30 days.

GA Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 90 days.

NORTH CAROLINA

  • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
  • Morels (Morchella spp.)
  • Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
  • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
  • Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
  • Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
  • Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
  • Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levisP. dryinus)
  • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
  • Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
  • Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
  • Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
  • Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactarius corrugisL.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
  • Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)

NC Requirements: Harvest Log, NC Wild Mushroom Verification Form (Forager is approved at Health Department). TAGS available at health department for attaching to boxes. Restaurants retain a copy of verification form and tags for 90 days after purchase.

Verification Form: https://ehs.ncpublichealth.com/docs/forms/WildMushroomBuyerVerificationForm-FINAL-May2017.pdf

Link to Position Statements: https://ehs.ncpublichealth.com/docs/position/WildForagedMushroomPositionStatement-FINAL-May12-2017.pdf

VIRGINIA

  • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
  • Morels (Morchella spp.)
  • Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
  • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
  • Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
  • Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
  • Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
  • Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
  • Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levisP. dryinus)
  • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
  • Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
  • Blewit (Lepista nuda)
  • Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
  • Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
  • Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactarius corrugisL.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
  • Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
  • Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
  • Bolete species: King bolete / Cep / Porcini (Boletus edulis, B. chippewaensis)
  • Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
  • Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma curtisii, G. tsugae, G. sessile)
  • Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)

VA Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 90 days once container is emptied.

Wild Mushroom Harvester Application: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/mushroom-harvester-application.pdf
Wild Mushroom Retail Sales Application: 
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/mushroom-retail-application.pdf

PENNSYLVANIA

  • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
  • Blue chanterelle (Polyozellus multiplex)
  • Morels (Morchella spp.)
  • Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
  • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
  • Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
  • Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
  • Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
  • Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
  • Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levisP. dryinus)
  • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
  • Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
  • Blewit (Lepista nuda)
  • Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
  • Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
  • Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactarius corrugisL.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
  • Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
  • Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
  • Bolete species: King bolete / Cep / Porcini (Boletus edulis, B. chippewaensis)
  • Matsutake (Tricholoma magnivelare)
  • Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)

PA Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 30 days.

Link to position statements: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/consumer_protection/FoodSafety/Eggs-Fruit-Vegetables/Documents/Guidance%20for%20Wild%20Mushroom%20Harvesters%20in%20PA.pdf

NEW YORK

  • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
  • Blue chanterelle (Polyozellus multiplex)
  • Morels (Morchella spp.)
  • Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
  • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
  • Wood ears (Auricularia spp.)
  • Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
  • Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
  • Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
  • Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
  • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
  • Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
  • Blewit (Lepista nuda)
  • Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens)
  • Blue milky (Lactarius indigo)
  • Golden and burgundy milkies (Lactarius corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
  • Pecan truffle (Tuber spp.)
  • Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
  • Bolete species: King bolete / Cep / Porcini (Boletus edulis, B. chippewaensis)
  • Matsutake (Tricholoma magnivelare)
  • Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)

NY Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and Invoices.

Guidance Document for Sale of Wild Harvested Mushrooms in NY

Wild mushrooms harvested by an approved mushroom expert can be sold in NY retail markets and direct to NY state customers.

As of the moment, wild mushrooms are not approved for sale to NY restaurants as per NYSDOH.

ALABAMA

Only the following wild harvested mushroom species may be offered for sale or service in a food service establishment:

    • Beefsteak (Fistulina hepatica)
    • Black Trumpet (Craterellus fallax)
    • Blewits (Lepista nuda)
    • Blue Milky (Lactarius indigo)
    • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.)
    • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus)
    • Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus spp. Exception L. persicinus)
    • Golden and Burgundy Milkies (Lactarius corrugis, L.volemus, L. hygrophoroides)
    • Green Quilted Russula (Russula virescens, R. parvovirescens, R. crustosa)
    • Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum, H. albomagnum)
    • Honey mushrooms (Armillaria mellea, A.tabescens)
    • Lions Mane or Pom Pom or Bearded tooth or Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
    • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
    • Maitake or Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
    • Morels (Morchella spp.)
    • Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levis, P. dryinus)
    • Pecan Truffle (Tuber spp.)
    • Puffballs (Lycoperdon spp., Calvatia spp.)
    • Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma curtisii, G. tsugae, G. sessile)
    • Shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)
    • Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
    • Umbrella Polypore (Cladomeris umbellata)
    • Wood Ears (Auricularia spp.)

AL Requirements: Restaurants apply for and receive a variance approval to use wild harvested mushrooms, Buyers Specification Record attached to container of mushrooms. Restaurants retain records for 90 days.

Rules of Alabama State Board Of Health Bureau Of Environmental  Services Chapter 420-3-22 For Food Establishment Sanitation: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/environmental/assets/foodrules2020.pdf

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Approved Species List (Tier 1) :

  • Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp. Exception C. persicinus
  • Morels (Morchella spp.
  • Black trumpet (Craterellus fallax
  • Lobster (Hypomyces lactifluorum
  • Lions mane / Pom Pom / Bearded tooth / Bear’s head (Hericium spp.)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp. Exception Pleurotus levisP. dryinus)
  • Cauliflower (Sparassis spp.
  • Maitake / Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa
  • King bolete / Porcini / Cep / Steinpilz (Boletus edulis group: Boletus edulis,  Boletus atkinsoniiBoletus chippewaensisBoletus nobilisBoletus separans,  Boletus subcaerulescensBoletus variipes
  • Matsutake (Tricholoma magnivelare
  • Wine Cap / King Stropharia / Garden Giant (Stropharia rugoso-annulata

New Hampshire Requirements: Harvest Log, Tracking numbers on Boxes and  Invoices. Restaurants retain records for 90 days.  

143-A:23 Labeling Requirements; Recordkeeping. –

I. All mushrooms harvested by a person licensed under this subdivision for sale shall be labeled with the following:

(a) The name, address, and license number of the licensed mushroom identifier,  harvester, and distributor. 

(b) The species of mushroom. 

(c) The weight sold. 

(d) The date of harvesting. 

(e) The county of harvesting

II. A copy of such label shall be retained by the licensed mushroom identifier, harvester, and distributor for one year, as well as information on the specific harvest location of all mushrooms harvested. 

III. A copy of such label shall be retained by the food service establishment for 90 days. IV. Such records shall be available for inspection upon request by the department of  health and human services and the department of agriculture, markets, and food. 

Chapter 143-A Food Service Licensure – https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/X/ 143-A/143-A-mrg.htm 

Upon successful completion of the course, the permit holder must submit the Wild Harvested Mushroom application with the State of New Hampshire Department of  Health and Human Services in order to be able to offer mushrooms to retail food  establishments. Download application here.

New Hampshire classes will currently permit you to sell mushrooms only in New Hampshire.