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KOMPAS.com – The government recently asked importers to withdraw circulation enoki mushroom originating from South Korea.
The product is suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria which caused Extraordinary events (KLB) in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Launching Kompas TV, Friday (6/26/2020), the destruction of enoki mushroom products from South Korea was carried out on May 22 until June 19, 2020.
More than 8,000 kilograms of South Korean enoki mushrooms were destroyed in Bekasi. The ban on enoki mushroom distribution is also temporarily applicable for all importers not only those from South Korea.
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Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Food Safety Expert Prof. Endang S. Rahayu said, Listeria monocytogenes bacteria is one of the pathogenic bacteria that can cause intestinal infections or listeriosis.
He said the incubation period for Listeria monocytogenes infection lasted 1-7 days. A number of symptoms that usually appear include fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Infection occurs when bacteria that are consumed will grow in the intestine and attack the mucosa. Enter the blood vessels and attack other tissues, including nerves.
This bacterial infection can cause serious effects on vulnerable groups such as toddlers, the elderly, and pregnant women.
“Bacteria consumed by pregnant women can also harm the womb,” he said, Saturday (6/27/2020), as reported by the UGM website.
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Headmaster The Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) UGM also explained that this bacterium is known as a psychrotrophic bacterium that can grow at low temperatures.
Able to grow between temperatures 1-44 ° C, with optimum temperatures of 35-37 ° C. However, at 7-10 ° C it can still grow quickly.
Listeria monocytogenes can also survive high salt conditions and pH> 5. In addition, it is also resistant to drying.
“Even so, it will die if exposed to temperature pasteurization which is 80 ° C,” explained the Head of UGM Center for Food and Nutrition Studies (PSPG).
Therefore, in addition to cooking food at the right temperature, Trisye urges people to pack food properly when stored in the refrigerator.
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The following are steps to prevent the spread of listeria bacteria, summarizing from the UGM website:
1. Separate storage in an ice cube
Separate the storage of food that is ready to eat (such as fruit, cakes and others) with food that must be processed or prepared if (such as vegetables, eggs, meat and others).
“If vegetables, including enoki are processed by heating, the bacteria can die. The danger is that the bacteria move to the fruit and reproduce, while the fruit is eaten immediately without washing first, it can cause disease, “he explained.
2. Use a special container
When storing vegetables, including enoki mushrooms, it should be placed in a separate plastic container.
Make sure it is not mixed with fruits that are ready to eat to avoid cross contamination.
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3. Cook until cooked
Listeria bacteria will die if exposed to pasteurization or heating temperatures, which is 80 degrees celsius, the Head of UGM Center for Food and Nutrition Studies (PSPG) said.
4. Implement good sanitation
Listeria monocytogenes are usually widely distributed in soil, dirt, feces, drains, and unclean equipment.
While foods that are often contaminated are various types of food stored in the refrigerator / cold temperatures.
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By implementing sanitation and personal hygiene which is good, is expected to minimize disease infections in the body through food.
Cleaning the refrigerator regularly can also be a preventive measure.
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