By Clark 
Certain goods, such as romaine lettuce and ground beef, appear to be more susceptible to contamination and food safety concerns, often resulting in recalls. This year, a distinctly different product was removed from the shelf more frequently than any other.
In 2022, enoki mushrooms were involved in 11 listeria-related recalls, 10 of which occurred within the initial four months of the year. It has been the most problematic food to yet.
According to Food Poisoning Bulletin, any commodity competing for a distant second place—such as cheese, leafy greens, and ground beef—has had fewer than half the recalls compared to others this year.
Consumer Reports indicates that enoki mushrooms have been subject to over 20 recalls since 2020. A listeria outbreak from 2016 to 2020 affected 36 individuals in the United States, resulting in four fatalities. This led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement an Imported Specialty Mushroom Prevention Strategy concentrating on enoki mushrooms.
All mushrooms recalled in the past two years originated from Korea, China, and Taiwan, with the FDA declaring in July that its Import Divisions may detain—without physical examination—enoki mushrooms imported from the Republic of Korea.
The frequent product recalls prompt an inquiry into the reasons behind the recurrent contamination of enoki mushrooms with Listeria monocytogenes. In the July import advisory, the FDA stated, “Evidence indicates that enoki mushrooms may serve as a high-risk reservoir for L. monocytogenes due to challenges in upholding proper hygienic practices at medium-sized facilities where the mushrooms are commonly cultivated.”
Food Poisoning Bulletin indicates that listeria, present in soil, water, and decomposing plant material, thrives in cool, moist surroundings, with the high-humidity conditions necessary for mushroom cultivation providing “optimal conditions for bacterial proliferation.”
On November 17, the CDC reported a connection between enoki mushrooms and a new listeria epidemic, resulting in illness and hospitalization of two individuals—one in Michigan and one in Nevada. Both participants indicated consuming enoki mushrooms or dining at establishments offering dishes containing enoki mushrooms.
On the same day as the CDC’s notification, the FDA disclosed that Green Day Produce Inc recalled its 7.5-ounce packages of enoki mushrooms due to probable listeria contamination. The agency informed Consumer Reports that “this brand does not seem to be associated” with the listeria outbreak reported by the CDC. To date, no illnesses associated with the eating of Green Day Produce enoki mushrooms have been reported.
Symptoms of a listeria infection may encompass elevated temperature, intense headache, rigidity, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and diarrhea. Although healthy persons may suffer only transient symptoms, the bacteria can induce “serious and occasionally lethal infections” in small children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.