Latest Blog Posts

Today marks a major milestone for us at M2 Ingredients. We’re proud to officially open the M2 Center of Innovation, a state-of-the-art food, beverage, and supplement R&D application lab designed to accelerate innovation and raise the bar for functional mushroom product development. As the largest vertically integrated functional mushroom grower and ingredient supplier in the […]

At M2 Ingredients, sustainability is not a static claim or a single certification. It is an ongoing, systems-based commitment to improving how functional mushrooms are grown, processed, and delivered, while prioritizing environmental stewardship, social fairness, scientific integrity, and long-term resilience.  M2 Ingredients’ sustainability practices are aligned with internationally recognized frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable […]

By Dr. Kritika Mahadevan, MSc, PhD, Head of Regulatory Affairs, M2 Ingredients  At M2 Ingredients, food safety is not a checkbox—it’s our operating system. For our food and beverage partners, we invest in original, GLP (Good Laboratory Practice)-compliant, OECD toxicology studies, so brands can formulate with confidence and scale without surprises.  Our latest peer-reviewed toxicology study in Frontiers in Toxicology (Oct 27, 2025) evaluated two of our proprietary strains of organic whole-mushroom powders produced by […]

By Jay Schmalz, Food Scientist & R&D Commercialization Manager, M2 Ingredients  As someone who has spent years working with mushroom products and supporting brands who use mushrooms in formulations, I’ve seen firsthand how incredible mushrooms are, but also some of the challenges of formulating with them. Most mushroom extracts currently available on the market today […]

Why the Canine Gut Matters for Performance, Immunity, and Behavior A balanced gut microbiome underpins digestion, nutrient absorption, mucosal barrier integrity, and immune readiness in dogs. Emerging evidence also links gut ecology to behavior via the gut–brain axis—through microbial metabolites (short-chain fatty acids, SCFAs), neurotransmitter modulation (serotonin, dopamine, GABA), immune signaling, and the HPA (stress) […]

Exploring the Detoxification Potential of Beta Glucans and Prebiotic Whole Mushrooms  Environmental toxins such as microplastics and PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are increasingly found in our bodies—from blood and lungs to brain tissue. These persistent compounds resist breakdown and are linked to a range of health concerns, including hormonal disruption, cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, and certain […]

At M2 Ingredients, we are committed to advancing the science of functional mushrooms—and nowhere is that science more relevant than in the rapidly growing category of mushroom coffee. Consumers are seeking more from their morning rituals: improved focus, mood, performance, and digestive health, without the overstimulation that can come with caffeine. Functional mushrooms are uniquely […]

02-Jul-2025 by Claudia Adrien TLDR: New research shows that whole, full spectrum mushrooms are powerful prebiotics and should be considered by gut health formulators. Journalist Claudia Adrien of NutraIngredients-USA dove deep into the science behind mushrooms and gut health—spurred by emerging research showing that whole, full-spectrum mushroom powders have meaningful prebiotic effects. In her latest article, Claudia […]

From Organic to Regenerative: A Mushroom Milestone Why M2 Ingredients is setting a new standard with Regenerative Organic Certified® mushrooms At M2 Ingredients, we’ve spent more than 15 years setting the standard in organic mushroom cultivation. Now, we’re raising the bar again by offering Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) mushrooms—a powerful next step in our mission […]

By Dr. Julie Daoust, BSc, PhD, Chief Science Officer, M2 Ingredients  If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the popularity of The Last of Us, it’s that people are fascinated by fungi. And honestly? I love that.  As a lifelong mycophile and scientist, I’m truly grateful that this show has brought mushrooms—and specifically Cordyceps—into the […]

California-based M2 Ingredients, a leading organic, functional mushroom cultivator and supplier, has launched its first line of domestically grown and extracted functional mushrooms.

The reality is this: wild-harvested and organically cultivated Chaga are biologically distinct. But “different” does not mean “inferior.” In fact, when grown under controlled conditions, cultivated Chaga may offer more consistent, sustainable, and clinically validated health benefits than its wild counterpart. 

This Earth Day, we reflect on the urgent need for scalable solutions that not only reduce harm but actively regenerate the planet. At the intersection of innovation and nature lies a powerful ally: fungi. As the largest grower of functional mushrooms in the Western Hemisphere, M2 Ingredients is proud to lead with a science-backed, sustainability-first […]

We often think of mushrooms growing on something we call a substrate, but that’s a bit of a misnomer. It’s more accurate to say that mushrooms consume their substrate, transforming it into the delicious and often health-boosting fungi we enjoy. This fascinating process is all thanks to the incredible power of mycelium, the unsung hero […]

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) has garnered significant attention for its potential cognitive benefits, making it a popular natural nootropic. However, not all Lion’s Mane supplements are created equal. To truly harness the full spectrum of this remarkable mushroom’s cognitive-supporting properties, it’s crucial to understand the importance of using a full-spectrum, whole mushroom powder, rather than […]

A significant milestone has been reached in the ongoing commitment to delivering the highest quality and safest functional mushrooms: M2 Ingredients has achieved the coveted BRCGS AA+ rating. For those unfamiliar, BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards) is a globally recognized GFSI benchmark for food safety and quality. Achieving an AA rating is already a […]

The question "Can you eat too many mushrooms?" is a bit like asking "Can you eat too many plants?"

Mushrooms are remarkable organisms, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem as decomposers.