The Mushroom Casing Quality Assurance Scheme (MCasQAS) was developed by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) representing Bord Bia – the Irish Food Board, Teagasc,

the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Agri-food and Biosciences Institute Northern Ireland (AFBI), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland (DARD), casing & mushroom producers and technical experts. It replaces the previous Code of Practice for Mushroom Casing Production in Ireland, Revision 03, July 2011.

The principle objectives of the Standard are:

• To set out the requirements for the production of the highest quality mushroom casing on a consistent basis
• To provide the framework that minimises the possibility of contamination of mushroom casing from pathogenic microorganisms or other substances that may pose a risk to food safety; and
• To provide a framework for the production of mushroom casing and attendant activities, to comply with current best practice in relation to the safeguarding of the environment and to ensure the health and safety of all staff