Listeria Recall On Mushrooms Expands; Product Distributed Around NJ

NEW JERSEY — The detection of listeria samples prompted the expansion of a recall on enoki mushrooms, which were distributed in New Jersey to wholesale companies.

Utopia Foods, Inc. first voluntarily recalled the product on Dec. 13. Federal health agencies identified the company's enoki mushrooms as the likely source of the outbreak, which has sickened and hospitalized two people, according to the CDC.

Enoki mushrooms are long, thin, white and sold in clusters. They're especially common in East Asian cuisine and most often cooked into soups, hot pots and stir-fried dishes. Enoki mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, futu, seafood or lily mushrooms.

Through ongoing sample testing, health officials found more enoki mushrooms that tested positive for listeria, a serious bacterial infection. As a result, Utopia Foods expanded the original recall.

The updated recall includes 200-gram packages of "Enoki Mushrooms," imported from China with clear and blue plastic packaging. The packages have clear markings of "Best before 03/02/2023" or "Best before 03.09.23."

The products were distributed from Jan. 6-13 in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut for further distribution.

See a photo of the product below:

The CDC hasn't reported any listeria cases linked to outbreak since Nov. 17. But the number of people sickened is likely higher, as some people recover without medical care and never get tested for listeria, the agency says.

Retailers sell the enoki mushrooms from Utopia Foods, and restaurants also use them. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration continues to investigate a potential source of contamination and whether it impacts other products.

Consumers, restaurants and retailers shouldn't eat, sell or serve the recalled enoki mushrooms, the FDA says. Anyone who bought them should return them to the place of purchase for a refund or throw them away.

Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, 65 and older, or have a weakened immune system. Health regulators advised those at higher risk to avoid eating raw enoki mushrooms. Cook them thoroughly to kill any foodborne germs.

An estimated 1,600 people get listeria each year, and 260 die, according to the CDC. But many of those infected avoid serious illness.

Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms after eating enoki mushrooms, the FDA says:

• People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.
• Pregnant people also usually experience fever, muscle aches and tiredness. But listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, and illness or death in newborns.

View the full recall notice.