Papayas Recalled After Tests Positive for Salmonella and New Outbreak

A California produce company is recalling Maradol Papaya after product tested positive for Salmonella.  Testing appears to have been done by FDA. 

This recall comes after a large Salmonella outbreak linked to papaya occurred in August.  This recent recall however, is an example of why it is important to track issues of the same or related product.  it only makes sense that when an outbreak occurs in product, in this case papaya, then the regulatory agencies will be focused on that and similar products.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm575287.htm
Bravo Produce Inc. Recalls Maradol Papaya from Productores Y Exportadores De Carica Papaya De Tecomán Y Costa Alegre SPR of RL and Packed by Frutas Selectas De Tijuana, S. De R.L. De C.V. Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 10, 2017





Contact
Consumers Bravo Produce Inc. 01 (844) 891-7782

Announcement
View Product Photos

Bravo Produce Inc. of San Ysidro, is withdrawing Maradol Papaya, grown by Productores y Exportadores de Carica Papaya de Tecomán y Costa Alegre SPR of RL and packed by Frutas Selectas de Tijuana, S. de RL de CV, as a preventive measure, because the product has tested positive for Salmonella by exams done by FDA. It is extremely important to mention that this bacterium can affect children, elderly and people with weak immune systems. Symptoms are fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and producing serious diseases such as arterial infections (ie, infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

We inform that the product was distributed to markets within the state of California in the period from August 10 to 29, 2017. This product was addressed to wholesale customers and including retail consumers. Maradol Papayas were available for sale until August 29, 2017. Consumers can identify papayas by the label of the packing company, Frutas Selectas de Tijuana, S. de R.L. of C.V. It is important to clarify that Frutas Selectas de Tijuana, S. de R.L. of C.V., it is only the PACKER and therefore it puts its labels, but the grower of the Maradol Papaya is Productores y Exportadores de Carica Papaya de Tecoman y Costa Alegre S.P.R. de R.L.

The consumer can identify the product by the codes found on the side of the box
•1222335215
•1222635220
•1222335216
•1223035223
•1223335227
•1223835233
•1222235215
•1222535220
•1222235216
•1222835223
•1223435230
•1222235216
•1222935223
•1222135214
•1222935223
•1222935223
•1222135214
•1222235216
•1222935223
•1223035223
•1222935221
•1223035223
•1223835233

All consignees who were given the product have been notified (via telephone and email) to remove and destroy the papayas that are on store shelves and other commercial places. Supervision for withdrawal effectiveness are already underway by FDA.

The recall was initiated when it was notified by the FDA, on September 8, 2017, that it had tested positive for Salmonella in one of the Maradol Papaya that wasn’t distributed.

Bravo Produce Inc will be taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its imported products by taking samples from each cargo to a private laboratory authorized by that agency for the determination of Salmonella. The company is also cooperating with FDA in its investigation and will provide all possible assistance.

Consumers who may have bought papayas from Productores y Exportadores de Carica Papaya de Tecoman y Costa Alegre S.P.R. de R.L and with the packing label of Frutas Selectas de Tijuana, S. de R.L. of C.V. are advised not to consume and get rid of the produce. For more questions, you may contact Bravo Produce Inc. 01 (844) 891-7782. Calls will be received Monday through Saturday from 7:00 to 14:00 hours.

CDC Report
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/anatum-9-17/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Anatum Infections Linked to Imported Maradol Papayas
Posted September 11, 2017 4:00 PM ET

•Case Count: 14
•States: 3
•Deaths: 1
•Hospitalizations: 5
•Recall: Yes

Highlights

• Read the Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers >>
• This outbreak is one of four separate outbreaks currently under investigation that are linked to imported Maradol papayas from Mexico.
• This past spring, CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Anatum infections.
• Fourteen people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Anatum were reported from three states.
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 20, 2016, to April 8, 2017.
• Five ill people were hospitalized. One death was reported from California.
• On September 4, 2017, FDA testing identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella Anatum from a sample taken from an imported papaya at the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicates that Maradol papayas imported by Bravo Produce Inc. of San Ysidro, California, are the likely source of this multistate outbreak. ◦On September 10, 2017, Bravo Produce Inc. recalled Maradol papayas packed by Frutas Selectas de Tijuana, S. de RL de CV.
• The papayas were distributed to California from August 10 to August 29, 2017.
• CDC recommends that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell recalled Maradol papayas imported by Bravo Produce Inc. ◦If you aren’t sure if the papaya you bought is a recalled Maradol papaya from Bravo Produce Inc., ask the place of purchase. Restaurants and retailers can ask their suppliers.
• When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve papayas; just throw them out.
• Wash and sanitize countertops as well as drawers or shelves in refrigerators where Maradol papayas were stored.
• A review of the CDC PulseNet database identified six more ill people with the same DNA fingerprint of Salmonella Anatum who got sick more recently. CDC is investigating to determine if these more recent illnesses are also linked to Maradol papayas imported by Bravo Produce, Inc.
• FDA continues testing papayas from Mexico to see if other papayas from other farms are contaminated with Salmonella. Investigations are ongoing to determine if additional consumer warnings are needed beyond the advice not to eat papayas from the specific importer given in this notice, and from specific farms given in web postings about the other Salmonella outbreaks linked to Maradol papayas. CDC will provide updates when more information is available.