Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Enoki Mushroom 5.3 oz recall: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination

Enoki King Other food products — recalled other food productsEnoki King Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)Enoki King Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 3)
3 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Listeria contamination

This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

What the notice says: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Enoki King Mushroom Farm of Ventura, CA is recalling lot 4877 of its 5.3-ounce (150g) packages of Enoki Mushroom (Product of USA) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Listeria monocytogenes is unusual among foodborne bacteria because it keeps growing at refrigerator temperature. A contaminated pack does not become safer for sitting in the cold, and it will look, smell and taste completely normal.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Listeriosis is mild or silent in most healthy adults, but it is serious for pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and anyone whose immune system is suppressed. The CDC describes intestinal illness as diarrhoea and vomiting, and invasive illness as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in the newborn even when the parent feels only mildly unwell. Symptoms can start within a day or not appear for weeks, so tell any doctor you see that you ate a recalled product and give them the date.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
October 11, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Enoki King
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Nationwide
UPC codes
860011505600
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Products covered by this recall

Enoki Mushroom 5.3 oz

What the company announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Enoki King Mushroom Farm of Ventura, CA is recalling lot 4877 of its 5.3-ounce (150g) packages of Enoki Mushroom (Product of USA) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled Enoki comes in a clear plastic package with the description “Enoki Mushroom” in English and French with the lot code, 4877, on the front in black ink. At the back, there is UPC code 860011505600. The products were distributed from CA and NY through produce distributors or wholesalers to retail stores nationwide.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by Maryland State Department of Health revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 5.3 oz package of Enoki.

The distribution of the product has been suspended.

Consumers who have purchased any package of Enoki with the code 4877 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with question may contact the company at 718.290.6617, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM PST.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 4 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 860011505600

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 4877

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 5.3 oz
  • 5.3 ounce

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Listeria

Enoki King — This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

  1. Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.
  2. Photograph the label, the lot code and the date mark before the pack leaves the house — that picture is what a refund claim runs on.
  3. Throw it out in a sealed bag, or return it to the store. Either is accepted; what matters is that nobody else eats it.
  4. Wash and then sanitise anything the food touched: the fridge shelf and drawer, chopping boards, knives, counters and your hands. Listeria colonises cold surfaces and can survive there after the food is gone.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased any package of Enoki with the code 4877 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Enoki King Mushroom Farm — Consumers: 718.290.6617

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Enoki King other food products recalled?

Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Enoki King Mushroom Farm of Ventura, CA is recalling lot 4877 of its 5.3-ounce (150g) packages of Enoki Mushroom (Product of USA) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 860011505600; lot code 4877. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased any package of Enoki with the code 4877 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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