State Health Officials Warn Against Consumption of Specific Mushrooms

Today, state officials from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers not to eat specific brands of enoki and mixed mushrooms imported from China, Korea, and Taiwan after tests conducted by CDPH found Listeria monocytogenes. CDPH instructs consumers in possession of these specific types of packaged enoki and mixed mushrooms to immediately discard the products.

The affected packaged mushrooms were sold at retail stores in California during the first part of March 2022. Recent surveillance sampling of mushrooms at grocery stores by the CDPH Food and Drug Branch determined these mushrooms were contaminated. Eight of the 10 samples collected on March 2, 2022, tested positive for the bacterium.

CDPH notes voluntary recalls have been issued by multiple firms after the identification of Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, headaches, and neck stiffness. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness and death. Listeria infection in pregnant women may lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn. Consumers experiencing illness after consumption of these packaged products are instructed to consult their health care provider.

Additional information form CDPH is available here.