The FDA has updated its information on the deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas. Increased testing by the FDA has found papayas from two farms positive for Salmonella strains that matched illnesses not related to the initial outbreak.
So the FDA is telling consumers not to eat Maradol papayas from these farms in Mexico: Carica de Campeche in Tenabo, Campeche, Mexico; Caraveo Produce in Tecomán, Colima, Mexico; and El Zapotanito in La Huerta, Jalisco, Mexico. No papayas are currently on the market from these farms because their shelf life has passed, but the agency is continuing traceback and trace forward activities. Other importers may have sourced papayas from those farms.
Three brand of Maradol papayas have been recalled: Caribeña brand, distributed by Grande Produce; certain Cavi brand papayas distributed by Agroson’s; and Valery brand papayas, distributed by Freshtex Produce, LLC. If you aren’t sure whether or not you bought these fruits, check with your grocer, who should know where they came from. Caribeña brand papayas were distributed between July 10 and 19, 2017. The Cavi brand was distributed in mid-July through July 31, 2017 in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. And the Valery brand were distributed from July 10 through July 13, 2017.
The FDA has added the Carica de Campeche farm to Import Alert 99-35, after finding multiple strains of Salmonella in the fruit. Caraveo Produce and El Zapotanito have been subjected to detention without physical examination under Import Alert 21-17. The FDA is also increasing testing of papayas imported from Mexico to see if fruit from other farms could be contaminated.
As of last Friday, September 1, 2017, the CDC reports that 201 people are sick in this outbreak Sixty-five people have been hospitalized, and 1 person died. There are technically three outbreaks linked to imported Maradol papayas that include eight strains of Salmonella, which are: Salmonella Urbana, Infantis, Newport, Kiambu, Thompson, Agona, Senftenberg, and Gaminara.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever. Most people get sick within 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria. While most people recover without medical treatment, some do become so sick they must be hospitalized.
This is an ongoing outbreak. If you do experience symptoms of a Salmonella infection, see your doctor. This illness can have long term health complications, including reactive arthritis, high blood pressure, and irritable bowel syndrome.
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