Imported Korean Mushrooms Linked to Listeria Outbreak With 36 Affected Including 6 Deaths

Mushrooms imported from Korea have been linked to a serious Listeria outbreak where 36 cases have been reported with 4 deaths.  Six of the cases  were pregnant women where two of the deaths were fetal.

Sun Hong Foods, Inc 1105 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 is recalling All Cases Enoki Mushroom (Product of Korea) due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Consumers are warned not to even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Sun Hong Foods became aware of this issue after notification by FDA that samples of the product tested by the State of Michigan were found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/enoki-mushrooms-03-20/index.html
Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Enoki Mushrooms
Posted March 10, 2020 at 4:30 PM ET
At A Glance
Reported Cases: 36
States: 17
Hospitalizations: 30
Deaths: 4
Recall: Yes


Latest Outbreak Information

• 36 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 17 states. 
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 23, 2016 to December 13, 2019.
• 30 hospitalizations have been reported.  Four deaths have been reported from California, Hawaii, and New Jersey.
• Six pregnancy-associated cases have been reported, of which two resulted in fetal loss.
• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that enoki mushrooms labeled as “Product of Korea” are the likely source of this outbreak.
• On March 9, 2020, Sun Hong Foods, Inc. recalled enoki mushrooms labeled as “Product of Korea” because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
• This investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and if additional products are linked to illness. CDC will provide updates when more information is available.

Investigation Details
March 10, 2020
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to enoki mushrooms.
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on Listeria bacteria isolated from ill people by using a standardized laboratory and data analysis method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). CDC PulseNet manages a national database of these sequences that are used to identify possible outbreaks. WGS gives investigators detailed information about the bacteria causing illness. In this investigation, WGS showed that bacteria isolated from ill people were closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak are more likely to share a common source of infection.
As of March 9, 2020, 36 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 17 states. A list of the states and the number of cases in each can be found on the Map of Reported Cases page.
Listeria samples from ill people were collected from November 23, 2016 to December 13, 2019. Ill people range in age from less than 1 to 97 years, with a median age of 67. Fifty-eight percent of ill people are female. Of 32 ill people with information available, 30 hospitalizations have been reported. Four deaths have been reported from California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. Six cases are pregnancy-associated and two resulted in fetal loss.
Investigation of the Outbreak
Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that enoki mushrooms labeled as “Product of Korea” are the likely source of this outbreak.
State and local public health officials interviewed ill people about the foods they ate in the month before they became ill. Twelve out of 22 (55%) reported eating mushrooms, including enoki, portobello, white, button, cremini, wood ear, maitake, and oyster.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collected mushrooms for testing from a grocery store where an ill person purchased enoki mushrooms. Two samples of enoki mushrooms yielded the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. These mushrooms are labeled as “Product of Korea” and were distributed by Sun Hong Foods, Inc. Additional product testing is ongoing in California.
On March 9, 2020, Sun Hong Foods, Inc. recalled enoki mushrooms (UPC 7 426852 625810) labeled as “Product of Korea”. Consumers, food service operators, and retailers should not eat, serve, or sell recalled enoki mushrooms. Enoki mushrooms distributed by Sun Hong Foods, Inc. do not account for all illnesses in this outbreak. FDA is working to identify the source of the enoki mushrooms distributed by Sun Hong Foods, Inc. and determine if other distributors received the same enoki mushrooms.
CDC is concerned that enoki mushrooms labeled as “Product of Korea” may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and are advising people at higher risk – pregnant women, adults ages 65 years or older, and people with weakened immune systems – to avoid eating any enoki mushrooms labeled as “Product of Korea”, until investigators determine the source of contamination and if additional products are linked to illness.
CDC will provide updates when more information is available.






https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sun-hong-foods-inc-recalls-enoki-mushroom-because-possible-health-risk
Sun Hong Foods, Inc. Recalls Enoki Mushroom Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 09, 2020
FDA Publish Date: March 09, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Sun Hong Foods, Inc.
Brand Name: Sun Hong Foods
Product Description: Enoki Mushrooms

Company Announcement
Sun Hong Foods, Inc 1105 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 is recalling All Cases Enoki Mushroom (Product of Korea) Net Wt 7.05/200g because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Product was distributed (CA, TX, OR, WA, TX, IL, FL).
Stores that maybe carry our brand: (Asian Supermarket), J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermraket, Galleria Market.
Enoki mushroom is packaged in a White Cardboard Box, inside has 25 count of 200g.
Enoki mushrooms are white, with long stems and small caps. They're usually sold in clusters. The affected products are sold in clear plastic bags with green panels: labeling in front of packaging will have 4 characters in korea, Enoki Mushrooms (orange front), Product of Korea, Net weight 7.05 oz/200g.
UPC 7 426852 625810
Brand name in back: Sun Hong Foods, Inc
Packaging: 7.05 oz/200g
Sold under refrigerated conditions
Sun Hong Foods became aware of this issue after notification by FDA that samples of the product tested by the State of Michigan were found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
We are aware that ill persons who may have consumed the product are under investigation.
Consumers who have purchased Sun Hong Foods, Inc Enoki Mushrooms are urged not to eat and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-323-597-1112. Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST, Thank you.