New Age International enoki mushrooms, imported from Korea, have been recalled for Listeria. Consumers who have recently purchased enoki mushrooms should check recall information carefully as Listeria can cause severe illness and death. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage and stillbirth, even if the expectant mother experiences only mild flu-like symptoms.
New Age Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Recall
The recalled enoki mushrooms were sold at retail stores nationwide from October to November of 2024 under the brand name Daily Veggies in 200g, clear plastic packages with the UPC 8809159458890.
FDA Import Alert for Enoki Mushrooms from Korea
In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert for enoki mushrooms from Korea, essentially banning them, after too many samples tested positive for Listeria. Initially, all enoki mushrooms from Korea were on the import alert list, but some firms were later put on a “green list” and allowed to sell their mushrooms in the U.S.
What is Listeria?
Listeria bacteria are found in nature, but grow best in warm, stagnant water of manmade structures, such as the plumbing systems of large buildings. When foods become contaminated they can cause serious illness and death. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage and stillbirth even if the expectant mother experiences only mild illness.
Pregnant women are 10 times more likely than the general population to develop Listeria infections. For pregnant Latina women, the risk is 24 times higher.
In June 2020, a Listeria outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms from Korea ended after causing 36 illnesses. Four people died, and two suffered miscarriages. Twelve cases were reported in Canada, six people in Australia were sickened.