Listeria is especially harmful if you are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system. If you are in any of these groups, do not eat raw enoki mushrooms. Cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly to kill any foodborne germs.
Investigators are working to identify specific brands of enoki mushrooms that may be contaminated with the outbreak strain of Listeria. However, many brands of enoki mushrooms have been recalled since the 2020 Listeria outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms.
- Illnesses: 2
- Hospitalizations: 2
- Deaths: 0
- States: 2
- Recall: No
- Investigation status: Active
Enoki mushrooms are white and have long, thin stems. They are often sold in a 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.
In 2020, CDC investigated the first known Listeria outbreak in the United States linked to enoki mushrooms. This outbreak resulted in three recalls of enoki mushrooms that were imported from Korea. Since then, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public health officials from several states have been collecting samples of enoki mushrooms and found Listeria in many samples, resulting in more than 20 recalls of enoki mushrooms.
Information collected so far shows that enoki mushrooms are the likely source of these illnesses.
Both sick people reported eating enoki mushrooms or eating at restaurants with menu items containing enoki mushrooms. The outbreak strain was previously found in one sample of enoki mushrooms that FDA collected at import. However, to date, the firm associated with this sample has not been identified as a potential source of enoki mushrooms in this outbreak.
Investigators are working to identify specific brands of enoki mushrooms linked to these illnesses.
FoodWorld 