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Enoki mushrooms that traveled from Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co Ltd. in the Shandong Province in China have been collected and sampled by the Department of Health earlier this month and tested positive for the bacteria.
According to health officials in Maryland, they are working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other states to investigate the source of the contamination, which is not linked to a separate recall of mushrooms issued last year that was expanded on Friday, Jan. 13.
The suspect mushrooms are sold in a 7.05 oz (200g) clear plastic package with a brown and green label (see above). The Department of Health did not report if there have been any reports of adverse effects from people eating the product.
Health officials said that consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
“Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
"An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.”
Listeria impacts 1,600 U.S. citizens each year, killing around 260, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people suffer only spiking fever, stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.
When it comes to Enoki mushrooms, the Department of Health offered some general tips to ensure diners do not get sick:
- Thoroughly cook enoki mushrooms before serving or consuming them, do not serve or consume them raw;
- Do not use raw enoki mushrooms as garnish;
- Do not add raw enoki mushrooms on top of soup dishes right before serving. The enoki mushrooms will not get hot enough to kill Listeria;
- Keep raw enoki mushrooms separate from foods that won’t be cooked;
- Wash hands after handling raw enoki mushrooms.
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