Thai FDA finds no imports from Chinese enoki producer flagged by US
Thai FDA finds no enoki imports from a Chinese producer flagged by the US FDA and is stepping up Listeria testing of imported mushrooms.
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) has found no evidence that enoki mushrooms from a Chinese producer recently flagged by US authorities have been imported into Thailand, while stepping up testing of imported mushrooms for Listeria monocytogenes.
The move follows the US Food and Drug Administration’s Import Alert 99-35, which includes certain Chinese producers whose fresh produce is subject to import controls over concerns about insanitary conditions and contamination risks.
Supattra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, said the agency had monitored the US alert and reviewed Thai import records.
Preliminary checks found no imports of enoki mushrooms from the producer named in the latest alert, she said.
The Thai FDA has nevertheless increased sampling of imported enoki mushrooms for laboratory testing for Listeria monocytogenes and will continue risk-based surveillance of imported food.
Consumers advised to cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly
Supattra said Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and the wider environment and may therefore contaminate vegetables and agricultural produce, rather than being associated exclusively with enoki mushrooms.
The bacteria can be destroyed by appropriate heat treatment, meaning consumers can continue eating enoki mushrooms provided they are cooked thoroughly.
The agency advised against eating the mushrooms raw or undercooked.
Consumers should ensure that food reaches an internal temperature above 70 degrees Celsius, particularly when preparing dishes such as shabu, sukiyaki and moo kratha, where enoki mushrooms should be cooked completely rather than briefly dipped in hot broth.
Thai FDA urges five food-safety practices
The agency also advised consumers to follow five basic food-safety practices.
Hands, kitchen surfaces and utensils should be kept clean during food preparation, while raw and cooked foods should be kept separate and handled with different equipment where possible to prevent cross-contamination.
Food should be cooked thoroughly, while products requiring refrigeration should be stored below 4 degrees Celsius.
Consumers should also use clean water and safe ingredients, choose fresh produce and wash fruit and vegetables before eating.
Restaurants were urged to maintain good food hygiene and ensure enoki mushrooms are thoroughly cooked before serving.
The Thai FDA said it would continue monitoring imported food according to risk levels to protect consumers and respond to overseas food-safety alerts.
