Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Lawyer Update: CDC Announces the End of a Listeria Outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the end of a three- year listeria outbreak on June 9, 2020. The outbreak linked to mushrooms imported from the Republic of Korea lasted for more than three years with the first reported case announced in November of 2016 and the last reported case announced in December of 2019. A total of 36 cases were reported as linked to the outbreak in 17 states, of the reported cases 31 people required hospitalization, and 4 deaths were announced as caused by the outbreak.  

The listeria outbreak was linked to Korean imported enoki mushrooms from H&C Food Inc., Guan’s Mushroom Co. and Sun Hong Foods Inc. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed Green Co. LTD on an import alert on April 7th, 2020, after samples of their enoki mushrooms were tested and it was discovered that two of the samples tested positive for the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes as the outbreak. A warning was issued to consumers in March and April of 2020 advising consumers to avoid Korean imported enoki mushrooms due to listeria monocytogenes concerns. According to the CDC, the enoki mushrooms linked to the outbreak should no longer be available for purchase in stores as they are past their expiration date. 

On March 18, 2020, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety published its investigation findings and steps it will take to prevent future illnesses. In their report, it was stated that two firms in the Republic of Korea had products that tested positive for the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes as the outbreak. The CDC and FDA both announced the end of the outbreak, in their final update on the outbreak health officials stated that the epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence showed that enoki mushrooms supplied by Green Co. LTD, located in the Republic of Korea, were the likely source of this outbreak. 

The enoki mushrooms linked to the outbreak are no longer available for commercial sale, but the FDA is advising consumers who may have purchase the mushrooms to refrain from consuming them and appropriately disposes of them. People exposed to the contaminated products should seek medical help if they begin experiencing symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur. Ron Simon, a National Listeria Lawyer, stated “Victims who have symptoms such as fever or a stiff neck may consult a physician, and there are options in cases of suspected Listeriosis for blood or spinal fluid test.” People at higher risk of contracting listeriosis are people of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems.

For more information on the Listeria Outbreak Linked to Enoki Mushrooms, to speak to a Listeria Lawyer, or to inquire about a Listeria Lawsuit, call 1-888-335-4901.

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/enoki-mushrooms-03-20/index.html

https://www.thepacker.com/article/fda-declares-deadly-listeria-outbreak-enoki-mushrooms-over

https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/43907/20200611/enoki-mushrooms-linked-multistate-listeria-outbreak.htm