Skip Eating Enoki Mushrooms for Now, CR's Experts Say

The CDC says they're linked to a listeria outbreak

By Lisa L. Gill
Investigative Reporter

November 18, 2022

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that enoki mushrooms are likely the cause behind an outbreak of listeria. Listeriosis, the illness caused by the bacteria, can be especially dangerous, even deadly, for those with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, and older people. No specific brand of mushrooms has yet been identified as the source.

So far, two people in two states have been sickened. The CDC says the actual number of people with listeriosis is likely far higher because some people recover and aren’t tested for listeria. And it can take up to four weeks to confirm whether a sick person is part of an outbreak, so any recent illnesses might not yet be reported.

Since 2020, the CDC and Food and Drug Administration have tracked listeria in enoki mushrooms, which have triggered more than 20 product recalls. The mushrooms are frequently used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes and are usually cooked.

Another Enoki Recall

Also on Thursday, one brand of enoki mushrooms, Green Day Produce, was recalled because of possible listeria contamination. The packages are clear plastic and marked with “Enoki Mushroom” in the front and Green Day Produce, Inc., in the back, with a UPC of 16430-69080 on the back of the package.

This brand doesn’t appear to be related to this outbreak, the FDA told CR, and no illnesses have been reported, the company says.

Consumers who have purchased these mushrooms should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 323-587-4688 or william@greendayinc.com.

The Risk of Listeria

Symptoms of listeria infection—fever, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues, muscle aches, and headaches—can appear anywhere from a day up to four weeks after exposure.

The infection can become most serious when it spreads to the nervous system and causes a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. In pregnant people, it can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, and serious infections in newborns.

About 1,600 people are sickened each year and 260 people die from listeria.

Lisa L. Gill

Lisa L. Gill is an award-winning investigative reporter. She has been at Consumer Reports since 2008, covering health and food safety—heavy metals in the food supply and foodborne illness—plus healthcare and prescription drug costs, medical debt, and credit scores. Lisa also testified before Congress and the Food and Drug Administration about her work on drug costs and drug safety. She lives in a DIY tiny home, where she gardens during the day and stargazes the Milky Way at night.