Salmonella Alert 2020: 41 Sickened From Wood Ear Mushrooms In Multi-State Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a safety alert for a Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to dried wood ear mushrooms.

The affected mushrooms trace back to distributor Wismettac Asian Foods, which the CDC said is likely the source of the Salmonella outbreak.

The mushrooms -- Shirakiku or Kikurage dried black fungus as they are often referred -- were a part of a recall that was issued on Wednesday because they were found to be contaminated with Salmonella. The mushrooms were distributed to restaurants nationwide.

As many as 41 people have been infected with Salmonella from the mushrooms in the states of California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Illinois, Louisiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Four people have been hospitalized from the outbreak, but no deaths have been reported.

The CDC urges consumers not to eat, sell, or serve the Chinese-imported dried wood ear mushrooms from Wismettac Asian Foods. Restaurants should check for the mushrooms, which were sold in five-pound bags with a UPC code of 00074410604305 and an item number of 60403.

Images of the recalled mushrooms can be viewed here.

The CDC said traceback efforts led to consumers that had eaten ramen containing the recalled mushrooms at restaurants the week before they became sick. It is recommended by the CDC that consumers ask where the mushrooms they have ordered come from to avoid consuming the recalled product.

Individuals that have been infected with Salmonella may have symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that last for six hours to six days. In total, Salmonella illnesses usually last four to seven days, with most people recovering without treatment, the CDC said.

Some individuals may have severe Salmonella illness that requires hospitalization. In these cases, the infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream or other parts of the body. Young children, elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to severe Salmonella infections.