State health officials have issued a warning to Hawaii residents regarding potentially contaminated enoki mushrooms sold at local markets. The Hawaii Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch recently discovered possible listeria monocytogenes contamination in MYY Trade Co. brand enoki mushrooms during routine food safety testing.
The affected mushrooms were distributed to Palama Supermarket locations throughout Hawaii and can be identified by the following
- Size: 7.05-ounce (200g)
- Packaging: Clear and blue plastic
- UPC Code: 8 809201 000039
- Lot Code: 136
This contamination was identified through the department’s proactive food sampling program, conducted in partnership with the Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch and funded by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration grant. Health officials have already worked with local supermarkets and distributors to remove the affected products from store shelves.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious infection called listeriosis, which poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Pregnant women face increased dangers, as the infection can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths. Other high-risk groups include newborns, elderly individuals, and people with compromised immune systems.
While healthy individuals may experience milder symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle aches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the infection can be life-threatening for vulnerable groups. Symptoms typically develop within several days after consumption, though they can appear up to two months later in some cases. Listeriosis often responds to antibiotic treatment when diagnosed promptly.
Health officials have urged consumers who have purchased these mushrooms to check the package for the specific lot number. If identified, unopened packages should be encased in a plastic bag and discarded. For opened packages, thorough hand washing and sanitizing of any surfaces that came into contact with the affected product is essential.
No illnesses have been reported in Hawaii related to this contamination as of the announcement date.
For those preparing any other enoki mushrooms, the Food and Drug Branch recommends several safety precautions: always cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly before consumption; never serve them raw or use them as garnish; avoid adding raw enoki mushrooms to soups just before serving; keep raw enoki mushrooms separate from ready-to-eat foods; and practice thorough hand washing after handling.
Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming these mushrooms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading Listeria lawyer said, “Listeria can be extremely dangerous to many people. Anyone in possession of the impacted mushrooms should follow all directions in this safety alert to limit the risk of infection.”
