Enoki Mushrooms Causes Listeria Outbreak: Guan’s Mushroom Co. of Commerce, CA and and Sun Hong Foods, Inc
With a total of 36 illnesses, 30 hospitalizations, and 4 deaths, Listeriosis due to consumption of enoki mushrooms is being investigated by the FDA, CDC, and other departments nationwide. In the fatal cases, meningitis was caused when the very small bacteria entered the cerebral spinal fluid causing deadly swelling.
According to the FDA, there have been cases of Listeriosis due to the enoki mushrooms in AZ (2), CA (9), FL (2), HI (3), IN (1), KY (1), MA (2), MD (2), MI (1), MO (1), NC (1), NJ (1), NV (1), NY (4), RI (1), TN (1), and VA (3). The recalled enoki mushrooms come from two producers: Guan’s Mushroom Co. of Commerce, CA and and Sun Hong Foods, Inc of Montebello, CA. Guan’s Mushroom Co. enoki mushrooms were recalled on March 23, 2020, for 200g/7.5 oz packages of enoki mushrooms, and Sun Hong Foods, Inc enoki mushrooms were recalled on March 9, 2020, for 200g/7.5 oz packages of enoki mushrooms. The enoki mushrooms from both companies are a product of Korea (Republic of Korea). The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) declared on March 18, 2020, that after testing four producers of enoki mushrooms, two producers tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, yet the Korean MFDS declined to name the two producers. While the FDA is working to find which producers tested positive for Listeria contamination, they recommend not consuming any enoki mushrooms that are a product of Korea. If you cannot tell where the enoki mushrooms come from, do not consume them and discard the product immediately. Any surfaces or objects that have been in contact with the enoki mushrooms should also be disinfected for traces of Listeria monocytogenes.
According to national listeria lawyer Ron Simon, Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, though other high risk groups, such as the elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop listeriosis. In pregnant women, listeriosis can result in miscarriage or life threatening infection in the fetus, as well as fever or flu like symptoms in the mother. In those who are not pregnant women, typical symptoms of listeriosis include flu-like symptoms, fever, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Symptoms of listeriosis typically begin one to four weeks after consumption of Listeria but can begin as early as one day or as late as 70 days after ingestion.
If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of listeriosis, contact your physician immediately. But, warns Listeriosis attorney Simon, detection of listeria is very difficult, and often a cerebral spinal tap is required when meningitis is suspected. In the case of a still birth, a placental culture can be performed.
