Vernon, Calif.-based wholesaler Green Day Produce recently recalled packages of enoki mushrooms for possible listeria contamination, and suspended distribution.
The recalled mushrooms were sold nationally to distributors and retailers from September 2022 to October 2022, according to a Nov. 17 announcement.
The potential for contamination was discovered by a sample analysis from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Testing determined the presence of listeria in a 200-gram/7.05-ounce package of Enoki mushrooms. The recalled enoki mushrooms were a product of Korea.
No illness has been reported to date in connection with the recalled product.
Enoki mushrooms are white, leggy mushrooms, often sold in bunches, sealed in clear, plastic packaging. These mild, slightly crunchy mushrooms are popular in Japanese, Chinese and Korean food, where they are often enjoyed cooked in soups, hot pots and stir-fried dishes. Enoki mushrooms are also called enokitake, golden needle, futu or lily mushrooms.
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Enoki and wood ear mushrooms have recently gained attention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recent years. The CDC posted a warning after a 2020 outbreak, urging consumers and restaurants to cook enoki mushrooms to thoroughly kill any foodborne germs.
What is listeria?
Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and even fatal infections in children, frail, elderly or pregnant people or others with weakened immune systems, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Common symptoms include high fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
According to the CDC, symptoms of severe listeria typically start two weeks after eating contaminated food but can start as early as the next day.
What you can do
If you have purchased any 200-gram/7.05-ounce packages of Enoki mushrooms from Green Day Produce with a UPC reading 16430-69080 on the back side of the package, return the product for a full refund.
Questions about the product or recall can be directed to Green Day Produce Inc. at (323) 587-4688 or william@greendayinc.com.
