Canada cautions Enoki mushrooms consumers of possible Listeria contamination

CANADA – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada have issued a public advisory, cautioning consumers about the possible health hazards associated with imported raw Enoki mushrooms.

The warning emphasizes the risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can lead to severe illness.

Enoki mushrooms, long and thin stemmed with white caps, are commonly used in Asian cuisine and have become popular in Canada. Although typically cooked, they are sometimes served raw, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

Most Enoki mushrooms available in Canada are imported from South Korea and China. Several brands from those countries have been recalled since 2020 because of Listeria contamination.

Health Canada advises consumers to handle and store Enoki mushrooms properly to reduce the risk of contamination.

The government agencies issue safety tips which include purchase Enoki mushrooms from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Store them in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) or lower immediately after purchase.

Consumers should keep raw Enoki mushrooms separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination as well as wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw Enoki mushrooms.

To kill harmful bacteria, people should always cook Enoki mushrooms to an internal temperature of 70 degrees C (158 degrees F) for at least two minutes.

Health officials also urge vulnerable populations to avoid eating raw or undercooked Enoki mushrooms. Thorough cooking significantly reduces the risk of Listeria contamination.

Listeria contamination is a major concern for food safety authorities because the bacteria can survive and grow even at refrigeration temperatures.

Contaminated Enoki mushrooms may not look or smell spoiled but can still carry the bacteria. Symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria, can appear within three and up to 70 days of consuming contaminated food and include fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and headaches.

Since 2020, the CFIA has recalled multiple brands of imported Enoki mushrooms due to Listeria contamination. The CFIA continues collaborating with South Korea and China food safety authorities to manage the risk.

As part of these efforts, stricter import controls were introduced in March 2023, requiring all Enoki mushrooms from these countries be tested for Listeria at the first entry point into Canada.

Recently, CFIA issued recalls for brands such as Meta, K-Fresh, Golden Mushroom, and Good brand Enoki mushrooms.