BANGKOK; The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) found no evidence that enoki mushrooms from a Chinese producer recently flagged by US authorities have been imported into Thailand, while stepping up testing for Listeria monocytogenes in imported mushrooms.
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.
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.
Appropriate heat treatment can destroy the bacteria, so consumers can continue eating enoki mushrooms as long as they are cooked thoroughly.
The agency advised against eating the mushrooms raw or undercooked.
Consumers should ensure 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 fully cooked rather than briefly dipped in hot broth.
The agency also advised consumers to follow five basic food-safety practices.
Keep hands, kitchen surfaces, and utensils clean during food preparation, and keep raw and cooked foods separate and handle them 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.
