Mushrooms Sold in 2 US States Recalled Due to Bacterial Contamination

If infected with the bacteria, pregnant women could suffer miscarriages or stillbirths.

An image of the recalled Aunt Mid’s Fresh Sliced Mushrooms' product label. FDA

Canada-based Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited is recalling sliced mushrooms from the market since “they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,” the company said in an announcement published on July 11 by the Food and Drug Administration.

Three brands are subject to the recall: Aunt Mid’s Fresh Sliced Mushrooms, Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced, and Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushrooms. The items were distributed in Ohio and Michigan.

Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that “can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the announcement said.

“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,” it said.

Aunt Mid’s Fresh Sliced Mushrooms were sold in 227 g blue plastic packages, with UPC code 0 33383 676005. Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced, 227 g, was packaged in black plastic, with UPC code 0 68414 96960 3. Both items have a “Best Before” date of July 4.

The third item, Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushrooms, was sold in 10 lb. cardboard boxes.

According to the company, no illnesses have been reported so far with regard to listeria contamination in the recalled items.

“The potential for contamination was noted after testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 227 g packages of Fresh Sliced Mushrooms,” said the announcement.

“The other products affected in this recall have been manufactured on the same line as the 227g fresh sliced mushrooms.”

The announcement urged consumers who have bought the recalled items to return them to the place of purchase and secure a full refund. People who have questions about the recall can contact the company at 1-800-364-1305.

The Epoch Times was unable to reach Wiet Peeters Farm Products for comment.

A similar recall was issued by New Jersey-based LLK Trading Inc. this month, withdrawing 200g packages of Needle Mushrooms due to the potential of listeria contamination, according to a July 13 notice published by the FDA.

The items were distributed to New York-based Bally Produce Corp. and sold to DATANG Supermarket Inc.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Treatment would vary based on the kind of illness and its severity.

“People with diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration is not having enough water in the body,” the CDC said.

“People with an invasive illness are treated with antibiotics.”

As for intestinal illness, most people recover without requiring antibiotic treatment.

“Antibiotics are needed only for patients who are very ill or at risk of becoming very ill,” the CDC said.

The CDC is currently investigating two listeria outbreaks. The first is an outbreak linked to certain chicken fettuccine alfredo meals, which has resulted in 17 infections, including 16 hospitalizations, across 13 states as of June 18. Three people have died.

The second probe is related to ready-to-eat foods such as protein snacks and sandwiches that have resulted in 10 infections in two states as of May 10. All infected individuals were hospitalized.

In both these cases, the CDC advised customers to clean their containers, refrigerators, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with affected foods, warning that listeria is capable of surviving in the refrigerator.