Listeria Outbreak: Enoki Mushrooms Recalled After 4 Deaths Reported In California, New Jersey

Sun Hong Foods recalled enoki mushrooms on Monday after four people reportedly died and several others hospitalized with listeria likely after consuming toadstools.

In a statement Monday, the company announced that it was recalling enoki mushroom, which was imported from South Korea and packaged in white cardboard boxes, “because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.”

The company also warned the consumers “not to [consume it] even if it does not look or smell spoiled.”

Following the recall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that at least four people died in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey likely after consuming the mushroom. A total of 30 people were hospitalized.

"Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 23, 2016 to December 13, 2019," CDC said, adding, “Six pregnancy-associated cases have been reported, of which two resulted in fetal loss."

Warning consumers to “not eat, serve, or sell any recalled enoki mushrooms distributed by Sun Hong Foods, Inc,” CDC asked people to “return them to the purchase location or throw them away. ”

“Wash and sanitize any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the recalled enoki mushrooms. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces,” CDC said.

People with weakened immune systems, elderly people and pregnant women are at higher risk of getting the disease. Symptoms in people other than pregnant women include “headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches. ”

Pregnant women can suffer from fever, fatigue and muscle aches. Listeria “can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. ”