21-07-2025
FDA Issues Highest Risk Warning For Mushroom Recall
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A recall of mushrooms over food poisoning contamination fears has been classified with the highest possible health risk after experts ruled consuming the products could prove fatal.
The new assessment of the threat posed by the mushrooms on Friday follows the initial recall of the product in June, amid concern that the fungi could contain the food poisoning bug listeria.
Mushrooms under the brand names Peeters Mushroom Farm and Aunt Midi's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms, which were both distributed by Canadian firm Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited, were recalled on June 29. On Friday (July 18), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall as a Class I health hazard.
Newsweek has reached out by email outside of regular working hours to Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited, based in Charing Cross in Ontario, seeking further information and comment.
Mushroom are cultivated at a farm in this archive stock image taken in September 2018 in Rwanda.
Mushroom are cultivated at a farm in this archive stock image taken in September 2018 in Rwanda.
Camille Delbos/Art In All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images
Why It Matters
The recall affects consumers across Michigan and Ohio after the mushrooms were distributed throughout the states.
More than 200 cases of the fungi were recalled after they had been shipped out to retailers.
The recall of the mushrooms was initiated over fears they had the "potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes," according to documents published online by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Listeria is a bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning if consumed. Symptoms, which can last for hours or days, most typically include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. It can make people fall sick within a few hours or after a few days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, and can be deadly in the most severe cases.
What To Know
The mushrooms affected by the recall are:
Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced mushrooms 227g (8 oz.) UPC 0 68414 96960 3 on the flat black plastic package and the best before indicator "25JL04" stamped on the side. (25 cases distributed, 12 packages per case).
227g (8 oz.) UPC 0 68414 96960 3 on the flat black plastic package and the best before indicator "25JL04" stamped on the side. (25 cases distributed, 12 packages per case). Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom 10 lb cardboard container labeled with Peeters Mushroom Farm. (10 cases distributed)
10 lb cardboard container labeled with Peeters Mushroom Farm. (10 cases distributed) Aunt Mid's Fresh Sliced Mushrooms 227g (8 oz.) UPC 0 33383 676005 on the packaging, with a best before (or "meilleur avant") indicator "25JL04" on the side. (175 cases distributed)
Although the best before dates passed earlier this month, it's possible the mushrooms may have been cooked and frozen by consumers.
"No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem," the company said in a press release on July 10. The potential for contamination was discovered after testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency revealed the presence of listeria in some mushrooms.
The FDA has now classified the recall as a "Class I" health risk, the most severe warning, encompassing the potential for serious health consequences or death.
There are three classes in total, with Class II meaning that temporary or reversible health consequences are possible although remote, and Class III meaning the affected product is not likely to cause health problems.
It is not the first time that potentially deadly mushrooms have hit the news.
Enoki mushrooms distributed by a New York company were also recalled nationwide amid fears they could also contain listeria earlier this month.
Australian mum Erin Patterson was recently convicted of killing her estranged husband's relatives with a poisoned mushroom lunch. She is awaiting sentencing after jurors found her guilty of deliberately lacing her in-laws' beef wellingtons with toxic death cap mushrooms.
What People Are Saying
Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited said in a press release that the mushrooms were being recalled "because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes."
The firm added: "Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 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."
What Happens Next
Consumers who purchased the mushrooms "are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund," the company said.
Consumers with questions should contact Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited on 1-519-351-1945 or Toll Free 1-800-364-1305 between 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST. Monday to Friday.
