KÄÄPÄ Biotech gains EU approval for NordRelease mushroom extracts

KÄÄPÄ Biotech has received formal approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for its NordRelease mushroom extract powders, a milestone that positions the Finnish company as a leader in the European functional mushroom sector. The decision confirms that the extracts, produced using KÄÄPÄ Biotech’s proprietary extraction process, are not considered novel under EU food law, clearing the path for broader commercial use across the bloc.

The approval makes NordRelease the only non-water-based extraction process officially validated by the EU for functional mushroom extracts, joining traditional water extraction as an accepted method. The proprietary process uses Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (UAE), which the company says provides superior yields of bioactive compounds compared to conventional techniques.

“We’re beyond thrilled that EFSA has verified what we knew all along,” commented Eric Puro, CEO & Co-founder of KÄÄPÄ Biotech. “That our NordRelease extraction process provides the best quality to our customers. This extraction process is undeniably the best way to extract the bioactive compounds from mushrooms versus traditional water extraction.”

KÄÄPÄ Biotech, headquartered in Karjalohja, Finland, has spent several years developing and refining the NordRelease method, which it has trademarked in order to distinguish its quality standards from what it sees as a fragmented and inconsistent market. Puro credits the company’s in-house science team with driving the innovation forward and helping set a new benchmark for functional mushroom production.

“This official non-novel status for our NordRelease mushroom extract powders represents the largest innovation in this space in decades,” he said. “Over 180 customers have put their trust in us to deliver on our promises of bringing them the best quality product, with today’s announcement signifying that we’re doing just that.”

The EFSA decision builds on KÄÄPÄ Biotech’s existing food safety credentials, including FSSC 22000 certification secured in early 2023, which supports consistent quality assurance across the food manufacturing supply chain.

NordRelease™ extracts will now be able to circulate more freely within the European single market, offering formulators and nutraceutical brands a validated, scalable alternative to traditional mushroom processing techniques.

The announcement comes on the heels of a €900,000 [US$963,000] strategic investment from agri-food venture fund PeakBridge, part of the Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity partnership. The investment, disclosed in April 2025, will help KÄÄPÄ Biotech expand production to meet rising demand. In September 2024, the company also opened a new state-of-the-art growing facility in Paimio, Finland, further strengthening its supply chain infrastructure.

KÄÄPÄ Biotech specializes in researching, developing, and manufacturing functional mushroom ingredients for the global wellness, food, and supplement industries. With the EFSA approval now secured, the company is poised to accelerate its growth and solidify its reputation as a trusted innovator in the European bioactives sector.