Produce Company in California Recalls Imported Enoki Mushrooms due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Last month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) posted information about the recall of packaged enoki mushrooms that were imported from Korea by a produce company in Vernon, California. The mushrooms were distributed nationwide to distributors and retail stores and have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The potential for bacterial contamination was discovered after a retail sample was collected and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

On the same day the FDA posted the recall notice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an Investigation Notice about a Listeria outbreak it is investigating linked to enoki mushrooms. In it, CDC reported that investigators are working to identify specific brands of enoki mushrooms that may be contaminated with the outbreak strain of Listeria that has caused at least two hospitalizations in two states.

“Back in 2020, CDC investigated its first known Listeria outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “That outbreak also involved mushrooms imported from Korea and three separate recalls came out of that investigation.”

Helping food growers, manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and public health officials in their efforts to prevent contaminated foods from reaching the public are the food scientists at LA Testing. With multiple laboratories in California, they offer testing services to identify a wide range microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants from raw ingredients, finished products and from production surfaces.

To learn more about microbial testing or other food, beverage and labeling services, please visit www.LATesting.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for food, environmental and indoor air quality testing for asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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