United Kingdom
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have initiated an alert about the potential risk of Listeria monocytogenes present in imported Enoki mushrooms, widely consumed in the UK.
They are escalating proactive measures to ensure the health of consumers, particularly pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, who may experience severe consequences if exposed to the pathogen.
Enoki mushrooms, otherwise branded as Enokitake, Golden Needle or Lily Mushrooms, are ubiquitous across Asian cuisines and are often served raw. Raised alert levels stem from recent food safety signals in the USA and Canada in 2021.
While there are no reported cases of listeriosis linked to Enoki mushrooms in the UK to date, the FSA detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 13 of 40 Enoki mushroom samples in the UK, flagging a continuing risk due to inconsistent or unclear labeling on the product.
The food regulatory bodies are meeting this growing predicament by advising all consumers to adhere to instructions on packaging, employ good food hygiene practices while handling, and store Enoki mushrooms in the refrigerator at 5 degrees Celsius or below to minimize the hazards.
For vulnerable consumers, Tina Potter, Head of Incidents at the FSA, shared that Enoki mushrooms should be thoroughly cooked before consumption to destroy any potential Listeria monocytogenes present. Furthermore, she recommends proper cleaning of surfaces and utensils used in their preparation to prevent cross-contamination.
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.food.gov.uk
