Papayas blamed for deadly salmonella outbreak

The FDA has issued a warning urging people to not eat, sell or serve Papayas from the Caribena brand of Maradol papayas due to a salmonella outbreak.

Caribena papayas have been linked to 47 illnesses resulting in 12 hospitalizations and one death.

The brand of papayas is grown in Mexico and distributed through Texas to other states.

At least 12 states have reported cases of salmonella poisoning according to an FDA statement released Tuesday.

The states involved are Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

The CDC said in its statement that while the Caribena brand is the only one currently affected, additional brands may be announced as information becomes available.

If consumers aren’t sure if the papaya they bought is a Maradol papaya from Mexico, the CDC recommends asking the place of purchase. Restaurants and retailers can ask their supplier. If consumers are unable to determine the type or brand of papaya, they are urged to throw them away and to wash and sanitize countertops as well as drawers or shelves in refrigerators where papayas were stored.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal cramps

No recall for Caribena branded Maradol papayas has yet been issued.