Hofood99 recalls Enoki Mushrooms due to Listeria scare

Recall Date Issued: April 16, 2025
Announcement Date: FDA on April 18, 2025
Company Involved: Harvest NYC Inc.
Brand Name: Hofood99 Inc.
Product Recalled: Enoki Mushrooms (200g packages)
Issue: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Details: Sold in green plastic packaging, UPC 6975730520101
Risk: Can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations
Action: Destroy or return affected products
Contact: (718) 596-0777

Wanna know more about what happened? Keep on reading!

What happened?

On April 16, 2025, Harvest NYC Inc., based in Brooklyn, NY, issued a recall for its 200g packages of Enoki Mushrooms under the Hofood99 Inc. label. The recall was prompted by the detection of Listeria monocytogenes during routine sampling conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Lab in Buffalo.

The affected mushrooms were sold nationwide in retail stores, making this a coast-to-coast concern for bulk buyers, co-packers, and produce importers alike.

Quick product details:

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best By	Issue
Hofood99 Inc	Enoki Mushrooms	200g	6975730520101	Jan 11–31, 2025	Listeria monocytogenes contamination

What caused the issue?

The root of the recall? Listeria monocytogenes—a bacteria that sounds fancy but behaves badly. This little microbe thrives in cold, moist environments, which is why refrigerated produce like Enoki mushrooms is especially vulnerable.

How did Listeria get there?

Listeria contamination can occur:

During harvesting (from soil or water)
In processing facilities (due to poor sanitation)
During packaging or storage (especially if cold-chain practices slip)

Because Listeria survives and even grows at refrigerator temperatures, it can sneak into ready-to-eat foods and stay active, making it particularly hard to eliminate without proper safety controls.

Who’s most at risk?

While anyone can get sick from Listeria, it poses serious danger to certain groups, including:

Pregnant individuals – risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn infection
Elderly people – weakened immune systems = higher risk of severe illness
Children under 5
People with weakened immune systems (e.g., cancer patients, transplant recipients)

Symptoms of Listeriosis (Infection from Listeria)

If someone consumes a contaminated product, symptoms usually appear within 1–4 weeks, but they can start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after exposure. Here’s what to watch for:

High fever
Muscle aches or stiffness
Fatigue
Severe headache
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea
In pregnant individuals: flu-like symptoms, but potentially devastating fetal outcomes

10 common questions you may have

Here’s a handy Q&A to help consumers navigate this recall confidently:

Q: What is Listeria monocytogenes?
A: It’s a type of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, especially in refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods like mushrooms, deli meats, and cheeses.
Q: How did it get into the mushrooms?
A: Contamination can occur at any point during harvesting, processing, or packaging—especially in environments with poor sanitation.
Q: What happens if I ate the recalled mushrooms?
A: If you’re healthy, you might not get sick or may just experience mild symptoms. But if you’re in a high-risk group, contact a healthcare provider even if you feel fine.
Q: I’m pregnant—should I be worried?
A: Yes. Listeria is especially dangerous during pregnancy and can lead to miscarriage or complications. Talk to your doctor immediately.
Q: I already threw away the packaging. How can I tell if I had the recalled product?
A: If you bought Enoki mushrooms in green packaging in January with the Hofood99 brand, it’s safest to discard them or check with the store you purchased from.
Q: How do I destroy the product?
A: Seal it in a bag, place it in a covered trash can, and sanitize any surfaces it touched.
Q: Can I return the mushrooms for a refund?
A: Yes. Retailers should honor refunds for recalled products. You can also contact the company directly at (718) 596-0777.
Q: Are there other mushroom recalls I should know about?
A: Yes, Enoki mushrooms have had repeated recalls in recent years due to Listeria. Check out similar recalls here.
Q: How do I know if other foods are safe from Listeria?
A: Look for proper cold-chain storage, check recall lists regularly, and always wash fresh produce.
Q: Can cooking kill Listeria?
A: Yes, thoroughly cooking food can destroy Listeria—but since mushrooms are often eaten raw or lightly cooked, the risk remains if contaminated.

Here’s what you should do

Check the package: Look for the UPC 6975730520101 on the back.
Check the weight: It should be a 200g green plastic package.
Date Range: Best by January 11–31, 2025.
Action: Throw it away or return it for a full refund.
Contact: Call (718) 596-0777 for more info.

Behind the brand

Harvest NYC Inc. is a distributor operating in the heart of Brooklyn, specializing in produce like mushrooms for wholesale and retail. While this is a first-time recall for them in 2025, the Listeria-enoki combo isn’t new. In fact, similar recalls due to Listeria contamination have occurred repeatedly in recent years, raising questions about the sector’s sanitation standards:

Blue Ridge Beef voluntarily issued a recall on April 11, 2025, following test results that confirmed Salmonella and Listeria contamination in two of its products: Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix.
On April 10, 2025, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. issued a voluntary recall for 1,587 cases of its Marketside Celery Sticks, citing potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes—a bacteria you don’t want in your fridge (or freezer).

“As a ready-to-eat ingredient, Enoki mushrooms demand extra care. Convenience is great—but not at the cost of consumer safety. Listeria is a serious threat, and it highlights why strict food safety practices must be non-negotiable. From harvest to shelf, every step matters. Clear communication, airtight handling protocols, and unwavering quality standards aren’t just best practices—they’re the industry’s responsibility.” — Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86

Clearly, this delicate fungi needs some stricter quality controls across the board.

Ensuring safe eats

For the produce industry, Listeria outbreaks serve as a loud (and slimy) wake-up call. Contamination can wreak havoc on brands, supply chains, and consumer trust. For co-packers and private label brands dealing in produce or refrigerated goods, it’s a sharp reminder to prioritize quality control and traceability—from farm to packaging.