January 25, 2023

Media Contact: Chase Cook, Acting Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649​​

Maryland Department of Health issues consumer advisory for Enoki Mushrooms

Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is warning consumers not to eat enoki mushrooms produced by Shandong Youhe Biotechnology Co Ltd. in Shandong Province, China, because of potential contamination with Listeria bacteria.

Samples collected and tested by MDH in early January were positive for the Listeria bacteria. MDH is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other states to investigate the source of the contamination. This product is not currently linked to the ongoing recall of enoki mushrooms that was issued by Utopia Foods Inc of Glendale, NY,  on December 13, 2022, and expanded on January 13, 2023.

The enoki mushrooms are sold in a 7.05 oz (200g) clear plastic package with a brown and green label. The photograph below shows the information contained on the front and rear labels:

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Listeriosis is a life-threatening invasive infection caused by eating Listeria–contaminated food. The disease primarily affects pregnant individuals and their newborns, older adults, and persons with immune systems weakened by cancer, cancer treatments, or other serious conditions (like diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, and HIV/AIDS). A person with listeriosis generally has fever and muscle aches and can have a bloodstream infection or meningitis. Although people can sometimes develop listeriosis up to two months after eating contaminated food, symptoms usually start within several days, often with diarrhea. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. 

Anyone suspecting listeriosis should contact their healthcare provider. Listeria is bacteria that can be found in dust, soil, water, sewage and in the environment, where produce can become contaminated.

If you have purchased one or more of these products, throw them away. If you consumed one or more of these products, watch for symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or fever. If symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider.

In addition, MDH and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following for all other enoki mushrooms:

• Thoroughly cook enoki mushrooms before serving or consuming them, do not serve or consume them raw.

• Do not use raw enoki mushrooms as garnish.

• Do not add raw enoki mushrooms on top of soup dishes right before serving. The enoki mushrooms will not get hot enough to kill Listeria.

• Keep raw enoki mushrooms separate from foods that won’t be cooked.

• Wash hands after handling raw enoki mushrooms.

The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement.