More enoki mushrooms recalled; fourth company in less than a week

Concord Farms of Vernon, CA, is recalling enoki mushrooms, grown in Korea, because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This is the fourth enoki mushroom recall in recent days.

The recalled product was distributed from California to retail stores through produce distributors, according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. Complete distribution details regarding what states were not provided in the company notice.

The recall notice did not include any product expiration information.

Consumers can use the following information to determine whether they have the recalled enoki mushrooms in their homes. The product is packaged in black, yellow and transparent plastic packaging, printed with the “Concord Farms” logo above “fresh enoki mushrooms.” Enoki mushrooms are white with stringy stems and small white caps. The weights of the recalled products are 5.3-ounce (150-gram) or 7-ounce (200 gram). The UPC barcode numbers are 049995041049.

As of the posting of this recall, no infections have been reported or confirmed. Consumers who have purchased the enoki mushrooms are urged to return  them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers should never eat mushrooms raw, according to the company’s recall notice. All surfaces, utensils or containers that are used for preparing mushrooms should be separated from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled mushrooms and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled mushrooms should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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