Updated January 17, 2023, to include expanded recall, and outbreak information. Enoki mushrooms distributed by Utopia Foods Inc. of Glendale New York have been linked to a Listeria outbreak. On January 13, Utopia expanded a Listeria recall for enoki mushrooms imported from China. The mushrooms were distributed nationwide in produce wholesale companies.
The initial Listeria recall included enoki mushrooms sold in 200g, clear and blue plastic packages marked with the brand name Utopia and the barcode number 8928918610017.
The problem was discovered during routine testing by Missouri health officials. At the time the recall was issued, no illnesses had been reported.
The mushrooms were supposed to have been removed from commerce but they were not. The expanded recall includes enoki mushrooms in the same 200g packages with “Best before 03/02/2023” or “Best before 03.09.23” distributed between January 6th to January 13th, 2023
Symptoms of a Listeria infection include severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, other muscle stiffness, confusion, and loss of balance. Usually, these symptoms appear within 24 hours of exposure but sometimes it can take as long as 70 days for them to develop. Listeria can cause pregnant women to suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth even if they only experience mild, flu-like symptoms.