In the fight against breast cancer, Tesco and Aldi in Hungary have teamed up with leading local mushroom grower Bio-Fungi to raise awareness and funds for the issue.
‘Go Pink!’ is the worldwide slogan of the campaign to fight breast cancer and raise awareness of the importance of prevention and screening tests. This October, during worldwide Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hungarian mushroom-grower Bio-Fungi Kft wrapped its mushrooms in pink trays for third year in a row, thus helping the anti-cancer work of the Hungarian Cancer League. The special packages are available in Tesco and Aldi stores, and Bio-Fungi and the two retailers each give HUF 5 after every tray sold to support the Cancer League.
Last year, during a similar ‘pink mushroom’ campaign, Bio-Fungi raised HUF 732,240 (€2,400) for the Cancer League, and Aldi added another €1,600.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Hungarian women. In the country, 6-7,000 new patients are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Researchers find that mushrooms contain substances that reduce the activity of the enzyme called aromatase, which increases the oestrogen hormone level. The excessive production of oestrogen increases the risk of breast cancer. Regular consumption of button mushrooms can help in the prevention of breast cancer by interfering with the rising of excessive oestrogen levels in the body, studies suggest.
In Hungary, 25,000 tonnes of white button mushrooms, 2,300 tonnes of oyster mushrooms and 10-20 tonnes of shiitake mushrooms are grown every year. Some 40-45 per cent of this amount is exported, and only 2 per cent of the European-grown mushroom gets to Hungary.
Bio-Fungi Kft is a joint venture based on a family enterprise with 35 years of experience. It is one of the leading mushroom trade companies in Central Europe.
Source: European Supermarket Magazine
