<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi all,  And thanks to everyone who replied to my query.

The general consensus, as expected, is that any problem with mushrooms in
their natural state is definitely not celiac related.  If in a can or
package, they might have something forbidden added.  But then, we've all been
taught to read labels.  It was suggested that mushrooms be washed carefully
before consuming, especially if eaten raw.

One person stated that it's possible to have an intolerance to mold/fungus,
called trehalase intolerance.  Mushrooms can be a problem in that case.  She
states that white mushrooms are necessarily better.  Campbell's raises them
at a factory near her parents' home.  They get bedding (straw and horse
apples) from the stables at Chicago race tracks then pasteurize it for use as
a growth medium.  The end result is mushrooms and compost.

Of course, one person responded to the list that domestic mushrooms might be
grown in wheat straw.

I printed the next reply in full, since it covers the intolerance to
mushrooms in another light.

The only connection is that Celiacs may also suffer from Candidiasis, an
overgrowth of Candida Albicans, which is a fungus or yeast in everybody but
only becomes a problem in an unhealthy intestinal environment. The sufferer
should consider going on the "Anti-candida" diet temporarily until the yeast
or fungus is under control. This diet is:- no sugar, no yeasty foods like
Marmite or Bovril, no fungal foods like mushrooms etc. An excellent book on
the topic is "The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance" by Dr
Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin. Published by Bloomsbury.  Lucille
Cholerton (Chairperson, Gluten Intolerance/Coeliac Support Group, Durban,
South Africa)

So, mushrooms, in general, seem to be safe for the celiac diet.  If anyone
has any more info on the "wheat straw" situation and how might or might not
contaminate the mushroom please let me know.  I will report anything new.

Cherry Marshall