Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Sun Hong Foods Enoki Mushrooms recall: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Recall published 6+ years ago

Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Sun Hong Foods Other food products — recalled other food productsSun Hong Foods Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)Sun Hong Foods 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: Sun Hong Foods, Inc 1105 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 is recalling All Cases Enoki Mushroom (Product of Korea) Net Wt 7.05/200g because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

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
March 9, 2020
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Sun Hong Foods
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
California, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Washington
UPC codes
7426852625810

Products covered by this recall

Enoki Mushrooms

What the company announced

Sun Hong Foods, Inc 1105 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 is recalling All Cases Enoki Mushroom (Product of Korea) Net Wt 7.05/200g because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

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.

Product was distributed (CA, TX, OR, WA, TX, IL, FL) .

Stores that maybe carry our brand: (Asian Supermarket), J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermraket, Galleria Market.

Enoki mushroom is packaged in a White Cardboard Box, inside has 25 count of 200g.

Enoki mushrooms are white, with long stems and small caps. They're usually sold in clusters. The affected products are sold in clear plastic bags with green panels: labeling in front of packaging will have 4 characters in korea, Enoki Mushrooms (orange front), Product of Korea, Net weight 7.05 oz/200g.

UPC 7 426852 625810

Brand name in back: Sun Hong Foods, Inc

Packaging: 7.05 oz/200g

Sold under refrigerated conditions

Sun Hong Foods became aware of this issue after notification by FDA that samples of the product tested by the State of Michigan were found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes .

We are aware that ill persons who may have consumed the product are under investigation.

Consumers who have purchased Sun Hong Foods, Inc Enoki Mushrooms are urged not to eat and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-323-597-1112. Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST, Thank you.

Outbreak Advisory

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 3 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.

  • 7426852625810

Package size

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

  • 25 count
  • 7.05 oz

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

Sun Hong Foods — 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 Sun Hong Foods, Inc Enoki Mushrooms are urged not to eat and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Sun Hong Foods, Inc. — Consumers: 1-323-597-1112

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 Sun Hong Foods other food products recalled?

Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes Sun Hong Foods, Inc 1105 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 is recalling All Cases Enoki Mushroom (Product of Korea) Net Wt 7.05/200g because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 7426852625810. 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 Sun Hong Foods, Inc Enoki Mushrooms are urged not to eat and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Washington.

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