Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are issuing an urgent reminder regarding the safety of handling and consuming imported raw Enoki mushrooms. These long, white, thin-stemmed mushrooms, commonly used in Asian cuisine, have been subject to multiple recalls since 2020 due to contamination concerns with Listeria monocytogenes. The affected products primarily originate from South Korea and China.

Risk:
Listeria contamination poses a serious health risk, particularly to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the elderly (aged 60 or older), and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeria infection, known as listeriosis, include fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle aches. Illness can occur within three days of consuming contaminated food.

Food Safety Recommendations:

• Storage: Purchase raw Enoki mushrooms from the refrigerated section and store them at 4°C (40°F) or below as soon as possible.
• Handling: Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly before and after handling. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw mushrooms separate from ready-to-eat foods.
• Cooking: Cook mushrooms to an internal temperature of at least 70°C for 2 minutes to reduce the risk of infection.
• Vulnerable Populations: Ensure thorough cooking of Enoki mushrooms if you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised.
• Non-Vulnerable Populations: If consuming raw, ensure freshness by checking harvest or date markings.

Consumers are urged to report any food safety concerns to the CFIA and check their homes for recalled products. Any recalled items should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

Source:https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/imported-raw-enoki-mushrooms-what-you-need-know-safe-food-practices