Enoki Mushrooms Recall: Potential Listeria Contamination

Phillips Mushroom Farm has issued an enoki mushrooms recall for about 7,000 pounds of mushrooms, as they may be contaminated with Listeria monocyteogenes, a bacteria which could lead to potentially life-threatening listeriosis.

The enoki mushrooms, which are often used in Asian cuisines, were sold to food service locations and at retail establishments under a number of different brand names, such as Phillips Enoki, Publix Enoki, Giorgio Enoki, Moonlight Mushroom Enoki, Pennsylvania Dutchman Enoki, Fresh Obsession, Country Fresh Enoki, Monterey Groumet Enoki, Elite Enoki and Mr. Mushroom.

The recall was issued on February 1, 2009, after a batch of enoki mushrooms produced on January 13, 2009, tested positive for the Listeria bacteria.

Eating the contaminated enoki mushrooms could result in symptoms of listeriosis, such as muscle aches, fever, nausea or diarrhea. The elderly, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems may be at an increased risk of the illness, which could spread from the intestines to the nervous system in severe cases, potentially causing meningitis and other complications. Listeriosis could also cause pregnant women to suffer stillbirths, miscarriages or premature deliveries.

The facility where the enoki mushrooms were produced is closed pending further investigation into the source of the contamination.

The long, thin, white enoki mushrooms, with small round caps and slender stems, were packaged for retail in clear plastic bags with green, blue or red graphic panels. For food service establishments, they were sold in one-pound bags.

The Universal Product Codes and labels included in the recall were:

• PMF 3.5 oz. green bag with UPC 33383 67540
• Phillips Enoki 3.5 oz. blue bag with UPC 33383 67540
• Phillips Enoki 1-pound bulk bag (for foodservice)
• Mr. Mushroom 4 oz red and green bags, UPC 33383 67543

The following 3.5 oz. overwrapped packages are included in the recall:

• Phillips Enoki UPC 33383 67541
• Organic Phillips Enoki UPC 21706 67363
• Publix Enoki UPC 41415 03186
• Giorgio Enoki UPC 33383 67541
• Moonlight Mushroom Enoki UPC 33383 67540
• Pennsylvania Dutchman Enoki UPC 33383 67451
• Fresh Obsession UPC 69200 00916
• Country Fresh Enoki UPC 33383 67541
• Monterey Gourmet Enoki UPC 37102 67820
• Elite Enoki UPC 34635 41866

Consumers may return the mushrooms to their place of purchase for a full refund or call the manufacturer at 800-722-8818 for further information.