Enoki mushrooms linked to Listeria Monocytogenes Multistate Outbreak

United States

Update April 07, 2023

CDC announced that this outbreak is over, as of April 07, 2023. To this date, a total of 5 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Listeria have been reported from 4 states (CA, NJ, MI, and NV). All 5 have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 5, 2022, to February 3, 2023.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data showed that enoki mushrooms imported from China made people sick. Although this outbreak investigation has ended, CDC and FDA are working to better understand the risk of Listeria infection from enoki mushrooms.

CDC advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system to not eat raw enoki mushrooms. Also, advise:
- Cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly.
- Keep raw enoki mushrooms separate from foods that won’t be cooked.
- Wash your hands, items, and surfaces that have touched raw enoki mushrooms.
- Restaurants should cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly before serving to customers and keep raw enoki mushrooms separate from foods that won’t be cooked.

Source: CDC

Update January 27, 2023

The Maryland Department of Health found the outbreak strains of Listeria in two samples of enoki mushrooms produced by Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co., China.

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled or contaminated enoki mushrooms.

The investigation is ongoing.

Source: CDC

Update January 18, 2023

As of January 18, 2023, 3 people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria have been reported from three states (CA, MI and NV). All 3 have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 3, 2022, to October 8, 2022. 2 sick people reported eating enoki mushrooms or eating at restaurants with menu items containing enoki mushrooms. One patient did not report eating enoki mushrooms but reported shopping at various Asian grocery stores.

FDA found two strains of Listeria in an import sample of Utopia Foods brand enoki mushrooms. One strain is linked to the two illnesses that were already included in this outbreak, and the other strain is linked to one additional illness. Both strains are now included in this outbreak investigation.

On November 17, 2022, Green Day Produce, Inc. recalled these enoki mushrooms due to Listeria contamination.
On January 13, 2023, Utopia Foods expanded their recall of enoki mushrooms.

The investigation is ongoing.

Source: CDC

November 17, 2022

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to enoki mushrooms. Investigators are working to identify specific brands of enoki mushrooms that may be linked to these illnesses. As of November 15, 2022, 2 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 2 states (MI and NV). Both have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 5, 2022, to October 8, 2022.

Enoki mushrooms are white and have long, thin stems. They are often sold in bunch with roots in sealed plastic packaging. They are popular in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean food, and they are almost always eaten cooked in soups, hot pots, and stir-fried dishes.

CDC advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system to not eat raw enoki mushrooms. CDC also advises restaurants to not serve raw enoki mushrooms. Cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly to kill any foodborne germs.

In case you are experiencing Listeria monocytogenes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/enoki-11-22/index.html