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30 people have been hospitalized and four have died after eating enoki mushrooms that were recalled by Sun Hong Foods.
Sun Hong Foods recalled the mushrooms because they might be tainted with listeria. This could pose a possible health risk, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s website.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging people to “not eat, serve or sell any recalled enoki mushrooms distributed by Sun Hong Foods, Inc.” on their website. So far, Hawaii, New Jersey, and California have reported four deaths total. The CDC has received 36 reports of infected people from 17 states altogether.
The CDC says that six of those cases involved pregnant women, two of whom suffered miscarriages. Most people who contact listeriosis have symptoms including headache, loss of balance, fever, stiff neck, muscle aches, and convulsions.
However, in pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, or a life-threatening infection for the unborn child. Symptoms usually start within 3-4 weeks of eating the contaminated food and can be treated with antibiotics, not vitamin supplements.
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Currently, investigators are still looking for the source of contamination. Officials are analyzing other products that might contain listeria. The mushrooms in question are sold with a green label in 7.05-ounce/200-gram clear packages.
The mushrooms are long and white with small caps. The package reads “Product of Korea.” People first started experiencing symptoms after eating mushrooms between November 23, 2016, and December 13, 2019.
The CDC is advising at-risk people to avoid the Korean mushrooms. This includes people 65 and older, those who are pregnant, and those with weakened immune systems.
Until then, they will continue to learn more about how the mushrooms have been distributed and where they came from.
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Sun Hong Foods, Inc. has recalled all cases of their enoki mushrooms product potentially linked to the listeria outbreak. They warn consumers to not consume the mushrooms even if they don’t look or smell spoiled.
Stores that sell the Sun Hong Foods brand include: J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, New Sang Supermarket, Galleria Market, and Ztao Market.
The enoki mushrooms in question come in a white cardboard box. The box lists the following information:
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-323-597-1112, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST.
