Health Canada, CFIA issue new public reminder regarding listeria risk with imported enoki mushrooms

Article Published September 13, 2024
Article Source: Health Canada, CFIA issue new advisory over enoki mushrooms (thestar.com)

The public advisory is not tied to any new recalls — the most recent reported issues were in March and May of this year — but the CFIA says it is continuing to work with importers to manage the food safety risks. 

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are reminding people to be careful when cooking imported raw enoki mushrooms due to potential listeria contamination.

The reminder is not tied to any new recalls — the most recent reported issues were in March and May of this year — but, in a public advisory posted on its website on Sept. 10, Health Canada said the CFIA has recalled several brands of imported enoki mushrooms from South Korea and China due to possible listeria contamination since 2020.

“The CFIA is continuing to work with importers and food safety authorities from these two countries to manage this food safety risk,” the Health Canada advisory stated, adding that the CFIA implemented new food safety licence conditions for importers of raw enoki mushrooms in March 2023.

Enoki mushrooms are long, white, thin-stemmed mushrooms that are typically cooked, but sometimes served raw. They are commonly used in Asian cuisine, and Health Canada said more of these mushrooms are being imported to Canada over recent years.

What is listeria?

Listeria is a bacterium, also known as listeria monocytogenes, that thrives in cold, wet environments, commonly spread by eating or drinking contaminated food — but it is generally not spread between people.

While it’s most often found in soil, sewage and untreated water, the germs may also be found in dairy products, fruits and vegetables, seafood and meat.

Many will be familiar with listeria after the CFIA recalled several alternative milk beverages from Silk and Great Value in July that has lead to 20 cases of listeriosis across Canada, including three deaths, as of Aug. 12.

Health Canada’s advisory from earlier this week noted that food containing listeria may not look or smell spoiled, but that it can still make people sick.

Symptoms, which include fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, can start as early as three days after exposure, although Health Canada said that only some of those exposed will become sick. 

Those who are experiencing symptoms are asked to seek medical attention. In a past interview with the Star, Dr. Dale Kalina, an infectious diseases specialist at the Brant Community Healthcare System, said the disease can be severe, but is treatable.

How to avoid listeria when cooking Enoki mushrooms

Health Canada’s advisory included several tips for people using enoki mushrooms to avoid getting sick.

The agency recommends always buying these mushrooms from the refrigerated section of the grocery store, and to keep them refrigerated at home before cooking. They also suggest keeping enoki mushrooms separate from foods that will not be cooked to avoid cross-contamination.

Once people are ready to use enoki mushrooms in the kitchen, Health Canada recommends washing your hands before and after touching the mushrooms, along with any utensils or surfaces that come in contact with them. Enoki mushrooms should be cooked thoroughly at 70 C for at least two minutes, the agency added. 

Those who are pregnant, aged 60 or older or have a weakened immune system are told to only eat thoroughly cooked enoki mushrooms.

Anyone who has any food safety concerns should report an issue to the CFIA.

With files from Andy Takagi