Listeria infection was detected in Changhua Flammulina velutipes. Will septicemia or meningitis be caused by eating it? Doctors reveal 3 tips for self-protection
Enoki mushrooms exported to the United States in Changhua were found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and were immediately removed from the shelves
Flammulina enoki mushrooms exported from Changhua, Taiwan, were suddenly removed from the shelves by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States as they were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes infection. According to public information on the U.S. FDA website, 200-gram packages of Taiwanese enoki mushrooms imported by a California company were found to be infected with Listeria monocytogenes, which may cause invasive infections in groups with weak immune systems, such as young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. An emergency recycling notice has been issued.
According to U.S. FDA information, this Taiwanese exported enoki mushroom agricultural product is printed with the English words “Taiwan High-Quality Enoki Mushrooms” and is labeled as the manufacturer of Changhua County Mushroom Production Cooperative. It is accompanied by QR Cod and UPC standard code 851084008358, and the batch number of the packaging box is # 3322.
The Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration also responded on the afternoon of March 22. After on-site inquiries at the place of production, the batch of enoki mushrooms contained a total of 926 boxes (50 boxes/box) (200 grams/box). After inspection, 926 All boxes were exported to the United States, of which 2 boxes were quarantined in the United States, and the other 924 boxes were sold in the United States.
Is listeria infection fatal? These agricultural products are the most common
Dr. Yan Zonghai, a professor-level attending physician in the Department of Nephrology of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, said in an interview that most of the cases of food poisoning caused by bacterial contamination in Taiwan are Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella, and there are relatively few cases of Listeria infection. .
Dr. Yan Zonghai pointed out that foods that are more susceptible to Listeria infection are lettuce, cantaloupe, incompletely sterilized dairy products, and incompletely sterilized sausages, ham and other processed foods. In the past, most infections occurred abroad. Because Listeria may pose a fatal risk to high-risk groups with low immunity, countries have become more stringent and cautious in testing Listeria.
Listeria monocytogenes is a zoonotic bacterial microorganism that is usually transmitted to the human body through food contamination. The incubation period of infection is about 3 weeks, and the onset time varies. The main symptoms of adults infected with Listeria are the same as those of food poisoning, including acute gastroenteritis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and other symptoms.
Dr. Yan Zonghai said that if a small number of immunocompromised groups, such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, etc., come into contact with or eat food contaminated with Listeria, they may cause bacteremia, sepsis and even meningitis, which may be life-threatening. When food poisoning or listeria infection is suspected, seek medical attention early and receive antibiotic treatment.
Listeria can breed in the refrigerator. Doctors urge food to be heated thoroughly
Dr. Yan Zonghai reminded that the methods for preventing listeria are the same as the principles for preventing food poisoning. First, raw and cooked food should be handled separately when cooking to avoid cross-infection. Secondly, you should also pay more attention to the hygiene of the kitchen environment and wash your hands thoroughly before cooking food. The most important thing is that Listeria can survive at low temperatures. Refrigeration at 4 degrees Celsius cannot reduce the bacteria. Food must be thoroughly heated to at least 72 degrees Celsius.
Information from the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Centers for Disease Control website shows that there is currently no vaccine to prevent Listeria monocytogenes, and most infections are caused by eating contaminated food. Therefore, cooking food carefully and handling food carefully to avoid contamination are the most important prevention methods. . Things to note include:
Use different utensils when handling raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.
Wash hands and utensils thoroughly after handling raw food.
Meat such as beef, pork, poultry or fish should be cooked thoroughly.
Fruits and melons should be eaten as soon as possible after being cut into pieces. Avoid leaving them at room temperature for more than 4 hours or refrigeration for longer than their shelf life.
Avoid eating unsterilized raw milk and its dairy products.
For perishable foods (such as seafood, poultry and livestock meat, etc.) and ready-to-eat foods (such as cut fresh fruits and vegetables, cold vegetables and meat, etc.), it is advisable to finish them as soon as possible.
High-risk groups should avoid eating low-temperature preserved meat sauce, ready-to-eat processed meat products (such as hot dogs, smoked seafood), and ready-to-eat foods (such as lettuce salads, sandwiches or sushi that are prepared and stored for immediate consumption). , leftovers and unsterilized dairy products, etc.; if you want to eat them, please heat them thoroughly before eating. When handling food, avoid the juices from hot dogs and other ready-to-eat processed meats coming into contact with other foods, and wash your hands and utensils thoroughly after handling.
References:
Jan Fruits Inc. Recalls Enoki Mushrooms Because of Possible Health Risk
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