Karmactive Staff
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a nationwide recall of Daily Veggies brand Enoki Mushrooms after tests revealed potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can cause serious infections.
New Age International Inc. of Brooklyn issued the recall for all lots of their Korean-imported enoki mushrooms after samples collected from a store in West Virginia on January 14, 2025, and subsequent analysis by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
The affected mushrooms were distributed to wholesalers in New York who then supplied retailers across multiple states, including Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products.
Product Details
The recalled mushrooms come in 200-gram (7.05-ounce) clear plastic packages with yellow and green printing. They’re labeled as “Daily Veggies Enoki Mushroom, Product of Korea” and carry the UPC code 8809159458890 on the back label.
Health officials are warning consumers who purchased these mushrooms not to eat them. Instead, they should throw them away immediately or return them to the store for a full refund.
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Health Risks
Listeria infection poses significant dangers, especially for vulnerable populations. Those at highest risk include:
- Pregnant women (can cause miscarriages and stillbirths)
- Newborns
- Elderly people
- People with weakened immune systems
Even healthy individuals may experience unpleasant symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
What makes Listeria particularly tricky is its long incubation period. According to the CDC, symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to 70 days after exposure, meaning people who consumed contaminated mushrooms should monitor their health for potential symptoms over the coming weeks.
Consumer Safety Steps
If you’ve purchased Daily Veggies brand Enoki Mushrooms, health officials recommend:
- Dispose of the product immediately or return it for a refund
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces, utensils, or refrigerator areas that may have touched the mushrooms
- Watch for symptoms of Listeria infection
- Contact a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms
For questions about the recall, consumers can contact New Age International Inc. at (718) 808-1018 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Prevention Tips
While this specific recall affects only one brand, food safety experts generally recommend these precautions when handling any enoki mushrooms:
- Always wash mushrooms thoroughly before cooking
- Cook mushrooms at high temperatures to kill harmful bacteria
- Avoid consuming raw enoki mushrooms, especially if you’re in a high-risk group
- Keep mushrooms properly refrigerated and consume before expiration dates
The FDA continues to monitor the situation as part of its broader efforts to ensure food safety, particularly for imported products.
FAQ
What is Listeria and why is it dangerous?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. It’s particularly dangerous because it can survive refrigeration temperatures and can lead to severe illness in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, newborns, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Even in healthy individuals, it can cause symptoms like fever, muscle aches, headache, stiffness, nausea, and diarrhea.
How can I identify if I purchased the recalled enoki mushrooms?
The recalled product is Daily Veggies brand Enoki Mushroom, packaged in 200-gram (7.05-ounce) clear plastic bags with yellow and green ink. They are labeled as “Product of Korea” and have the UPC code 8809159458890 on the back label. All lots of this product have been recalled.
What should I do if I already ate the recalled mushrooms?
If you’ve consumed the recalled mushrooms, monitor yourself for symptoms of Listeria infection, which can appear anywhere from a few days to 70 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiffness, nausea, and diarrhea. If you develop these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. This is especially important if you’re pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system.
Where were the contaminated mushrooms sold?
The recalled enoki mushrooms were distributed to wholesalers in NY that distributed to other states. According to the supplementary content, the FDA confirmed that the recalled mushrooms were distributed to retailers in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. However, since the distribution chain involved wholesalers, the product may have reached other states as well.
How do I safely handle and cook enoki mushrooms to avoid Listeria?
To reduce risk of Listeria contamination when handling any enoki mushrooms: thoroughly wash them before cooking, cook them at high temperatures (Listeria is killed by heat), avoid consuming them raw (especially if you’re in a high-risk group), and keep them properly refrigerated. Also, clean all surfaces, utensils, and your refrigerator if they came in contact with potentially contaminated mushrooms.
Have there been previous recalls of enoki mushrooms for Listeria?
Yes, enoki mushrooms have been involved in previous Listeria-related recalls. According to the supplementary content, there was a significant outbreak in 2020 linked to enoki mushrooms that resulted in multiple deaths and illnesses. Enoki mushrooms may be particularly susceptible to Listeria contamination due to their growing conditions, which makes proper handling and cooking especially important.
