Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. Salmonella Lawyer Update: Salmonella Stanley Outbreak Linked to Wood Ear Mushrooms.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on September 24, 2020, their involvement in a new Salmonella Stanley outbreak linked to wood ear mushrooms imported by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, CA. The salmonella contamination was discovered by the California Department of Public Health, who informed the manufacturers about the contamination. Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of their Shirakiku brand imported Dried Fungus on September 23, 2020, after being informed about the potential contamination. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a total of 41 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella cases linked to the outbreak, with the most recent case being reported on August 26, 2020. The FDA announced that out of the reported cases 18 people have been interviewed, and 16 of them stated that they ate ramen at a restaurant in the week before their illness started. The California Department of Public Health collected a sample of wood ear mushrooms, imported by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., from one of the restaurants where ill patients reported eating. The samples reported positive for the presence of Salmonella, and are whole genome sequencing, to determine if the Salmonella present in the sample has the same genetic fingerprint as the outbreak strain.

The voluntary recall by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. affects Shirakiku brand Black Fungus (Kikurage) with UPC Code 00074410604305, imported from China. The products were distributed in six-packs of five-pound bags to restaurants in AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Canada. Thus far 10 of the states to which the products were distributed have reported illnesses linked to the outbreak.

Both the CDC and FDA are advising consumers to avoid purchasing Shirakiku brand Black Fungus (Kikurage) and to ask restaurants where mushrooms are from before ordering to avoid eating recalled mushrooms. Restaurants have also been advised to refrain from selling any of the potentially contaminated mushrooms and should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled product, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Ron Simon, a National Salmonella Lawyer, stated: 

“The infectious dose of Salmonella is very small and can be as small as 15-20 cells. These bacteria subsequently multiply at an alarming rate, causing the manifestation of symptoms.”

For more information on the Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. Shirakiku brand Black Fungus recall, to speak to Salmonella Lawyer, or to inquire about a Salmonella Lawsuit, call 1-888-335-4901.