Thursday, July 27, 2017

Papaya's Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak.

A Maryland distributor, Grande Produce, is recalling Cariberia brand of papaya maradol after it was linked to a Salmonella outbreak where there were 47 cases.   The impacted product was shipped July 10 to July 19, so it is unlikely that any of this perishable produce is still around.

While much of the product was pulled back from the distributors, the company should have issued a public recall.  This recall comes a week after Maryland Dept of Ag first issued a warning.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm568780.htm
Grande Produce Issues Voluntary Recall of Limited Quantity of Papaya “Caribeña” Due to Potential Health Risk
For Immediate Release
July 26, 2017

Contact
ConsumersGrande Produce (888) 507-2720
Media (512) 848-1698

Announcement
View Product Photos


Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Grande Produce has announced a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of Papaya Maradol (with the brand name Caribeña labeled on cartons) distributed during the dates of July 10 and July 19 due to a potential health risk from Salmonella.

According to Grande Produce, a Maryland distribution center where the papayas were delivered has already notified retail customers to remove the recalled papayas from inventories, store shelves and the stream of commerce. Recall effectiveness checks are already underway by Grande Produce.

The only papayas subject to the recall carry a “Caribeña” brand label on cartons and were shipped during the dates of July 10 to July 19. No other papayas or fresh produce distributed by Grande Produce are subject to the recall.

Grande Produce has ceased importation of papayas from the grower and is taking all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its imported produce. The company is also coordinating closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies in their investigations and will provide any assistance possible.

Environmental microbial testing conducted by Grande Produce of its facilities has been negative for the Salmonella organism to-date. Specific sources of what health officials now believe may be two separate Salmonella outbreaks have not yet been determined. Of the 47 cases reported nationally, five illnesses are currently reported in the State of Maryland where Grande Produce distributed product.

Consumers who may have purchased the Caribeña brand of papayas are advised not to eat them and to dispose of them instead. A full refund is available where purchased or from Grande Produce at (888) 507-2720. Calls are received from Monday through Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm CST.

Advisory Link

The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/news/company-recalls-maradol-papayas
Company recalls maradol papayas
By Tom Karst July 25, 2017 | 6:16 pm EDT

The company named in an outbreak of salmonella linked to fresh yellow maradol papayas is issuing a recall of the fruit, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall comes a week after the Maryland Department of Health first warned consumers and retailers that Caribeña-brand yellow maradol papayas from San Juan, Texas-based Grande Produce tested positive for salmonella.

The FDA is warning consumers to avoid all of the company’s maradol papayas. Although the company notified the FDA of the recall, it had not sent a recall notice to the FDA for posting on its recall website.

In a July 25 update to the investigation, the FDA said the company initiated a “limited recall” of its maradol papayas distributed nationwide from July 7 to July 18.

The agency also noted that there are illnesses in states where Grande Produce did not distribute papayas and is continuing its investigation.

Grande Produce could not be reached by e-mail or phone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended consumers avoid maradol papayas from Mexico. Currently, Caribeña is the only brand linked to the illnesses, but the FDA is investigating whether other brands are involved.

The CDC has reported 47 cases in 12 states, including 12 hospitalizations and one death from Salmonella Kiambu. Salmonella Thompson and Salmonella Kiambu were detected on papayas at the Baltimore retail store that led to the Maryland Department of Health warning.

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