Although there has not been a significant number of cases in New Jersey and most states, with zero total deaths, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of four varieties of fresh, whole papayas after two separate shipments were found to contain the Salmonella Agona virus. According to FDA officials, the latest recall is solid evidence in support of its efforts to increase the sampling of papayas that are imported into the United States.
Just under 100 cases of Salmonella have been reported in connection with the papaya recall, with 10 cases requiring hospitalization. The majority of illnesses have occurred in Texas and Illinois, and there is no word on whether any of the victims plan to file products liability lawsuits against Agromod Produce, Inc., the distributor of the papaya shipments covered by the recall.
According to the FDA, agency officials discovered the outbreak strain in two papaya samples, one of which was collected at the Agromod Produce headquarters in McAllen, Texas, and the other collected at a U.S. border station, en route to Agromod.
The recall covers all papayas sold prior to July 23 under the names Blondie, Mananita, Tastylicious and Yaya. Consumers who believe they may have purchased a recalled papaya are urged to throw it away in a sealed container to prevent the spread of disease to people or animals.
If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a defective food product, please contact Breslin & Breslin for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Source: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, “Papayas cited in 23-state Salmonella outbreak,” Robert Roos, 25 July 2011
