By Jory Lange

4 people died and 30 were hospitalized in a Listeria outbreak the CDC linked to Korean Enoki mushrooms.  The FDA has identified the brand as Sun Hong Foods. Sun Hong Foods recalled its Enoki mushrooms on March 9, 2020.  One day later, on March 10, 2020, the CDC issued its outbreak investigation report.  

Image/FDA

The CDC reports 36 confirmed Listeria cases in this outbreak.  Here is the state-by-state breakdown of the Enoki mushroom Listeria outbreak: Arizona (2 people), California (9 people), Florida (2 people), Hawaii (3 people), Indiana (1 person), Kentucky (1 person), Maryland (2 people), Massachusetts (2 people), Michigan (1 person), Missouri (1 person), Nevada (1 person), New Jersey (1 person), New York (4 people), North Carolina (1 person), Rhode Island (1 person), Tennessee (1 person), and Virginia (3 people).  

The first Listeria illness began in November of 2016.  Listeria illnesses continued for the next three years, 2017, 2018, and 2019. The most recent people was diagnosed with Listeria in December of 2019. 

Enoki Mushrooms 

Enoki mushrooms have small caps, long stems, and are white.  They came packaged in 7.05 oz / 200 g plastic bags. “Enoki Mushroom” and “Product of Korea” were stamped on the front of the package.  The back of the package read “Sun Hong Foods, Inc.”