A nationwide health alert has been issued as a potentially deadly bacteria contaminates one of America’s increasingly popular specialty mushrooms, threatening the most vulnerable citizens with severe illness that could emerge weeks after consumption.
Key Takeaways
- Hofood99 Inc.’s Enoki Mushrooms are being recalled nationwide due to potential Listeria contamination discovered in Michigan.
- The affected products are sold in 200-gram green plastic packages with UPC code 6 976532 310051.
- No illnesses have been reported yet, but Listeria poses serious risks to pregnant women, elderly, children, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and potentially life-threatening complications.
- Consumers should return affected products for a refund or dispose of them immediately.
Dangerous Contamination Discovered in Popular Mushroom Product
The FDA has announced a critical recall of Enoki mushrooms distributed by Hofood99 Inc. due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. The recall, announced on June 11, 2025, affects products sold in distinctive 200-gram green plastic packaging with the UPC code 6 976532 310051. These potentially dangerous mushrooms have been distributed to retailers across the entire United States, putting consumers in every state at risk of exposure to this dangerous pathogen.
The contamination wasn’t discovered by the company’s own quality control processes but rather through vigilant government oversight. State-level testing identified the problem, highlighting yet again the critical importance of government food safety inspections that protect American families.
“The contamination was discovered after samples were collected from a store in Michigan and subsequent analysis by Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) Laboratory Division revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes,” stated The FDA
Significant Health Risks, Especially for Vulnerable Americans
While no illnesses have been reported to date, Listeria poses a severe threat, particularly to certain demographics. Pregnant women face risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, while the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems may develop life-threatening infections. The insidious nature of Listeria makes it particularly dangerous – symptoms can take up to 70 days to develop after exposure, creating a lengthy window where infected individuals may not connect their illness to the contaminated food source.
The symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. In severe cases, the infection can spread beyond the gastrointestinal system and become life-threatening. Pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, but the infection can have devastating consequences for their unborn children. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the recalled mushrooms should seek immediate medical attention.
“Most recalls in the U.S. are carried out voluntarily by the product manufacturer and when a company issues a public warning, typically via news release, to inform the public of a voluntary product recall, the FDA shares that release on our website as a public service,” stated the FDA
Consumer Response and Company Contact Information
The FDA and Hofood99 Inc. are advising consumers who have purchased these mushrooms to take immediate action. Anyone in possession of the affected products should either return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them properly. Under no circumstances should these mushrooms be consumed. This represents yet another example of why American consumers deserve the highest standards of food safety and quality control for all products, regardless of where they’re produced.
“The FDA’s role during a voluntary, firm-initiated, recall is to review the recall strategy, evaluate the health hazard presented by the product, monitor the recall, and as appropriate alert the public and other companies in the supply chain about the recall,” stated the FDA
For those with questions or concerns about this recall, Hofood99 Inc. has established a dedicated line at 917-756-9833. The FDA continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as new information becomes available. Additional recall information can be found on the FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page. The fact that these contaminated products made it to store shelves raises important questions about our food inspection systems and whether American families are being properly protected from potentially deadly foreign imports.
