Cavi brand whole papayas fingered in Salmonella outbreak

Cavi brand whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico and distributed by Agroson’s LLC of Bronx, New York are the likely source of an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda that has sickened 71 people in eight states.

This information was contained in an investigation update released today (July 5) by FDA.

The Mexican government, which described FDA’s initial report as “premature” on July 1st has not yet responded to this update.

Agroson’s is an importer and distributor of papayas. The company was one of the distributors involved in the 2017 Salmonella outbreaks linked to contaminated papayas from Mexico.

Epidemiological and traceback evidence indicates that the Agroson’s was the exclusive distributor of the implicated papayas.

FDA has asked Agroson’s to initiate a product recall. The company has not yet complied.

Illnesses associated with this outbreak have been reported in eight states: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (18), New York (27), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1).

Twenty-seven people have been hospitalized. There have been no deaths.

The hospitalization rate is higher than usual in a Salmonella outbreak, according to CDC.

Among those victims for whom information is available, the rate is 60%. The usual hospitalization rate in Salmonella outbreaks is approximately 20%.

The Cavi papayas were distributed in six states, all of which have reported outbreak cases. There was no distribution in Florida or Texas.

The Florida victim reported traveling to Connecticut before becoming ill. The Texas victim reported having traveled to New York.

FDA, which is continuing its investigations, offers the following recommendations:

For Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers:

Consumers in all states should not eat any Cavi brand whole, fresh papayas and should throw them away. If consumers are unable to determine the brand of papayas, they should be thrown away. Retailers, restaurants, and other food service providers in all states should not serve or sell whole, fresh papayas under the Cavi brand, which is distributed by Agroson’s LLC.

Consumers no longer need to avoid whole, fresh papayas, with the exception of Cavi brand papayas.

For Restaurants, Retailers, Importers, Suppliers, and Distributors in All States:

The FDA strongly advises importers, suppliers, and distributors, as well as restaurants, retailers, and other food service providers from all states to not sell or distribute whole, fresh papayas from Agroson’s LLC that are labeled under the Cavi brand.

Mexican government dismisses as ‘premature’ CDC’s link of Salmonella outbreak to imported papayas

In a July 1, 2019 news release, El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria de Mexico / The National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica) has described as “premature” CDC’s June 28, 2019 report of a link between Mexican papayas and a current outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses.

Senasica points out that the outbreak strain has not been recovered from a papaya sample, nor has Salmonella Uganda been isolated from papayas in Mexico.

According to Senasica, until the outbreak strain has been found in a papaya sample, Mexico does not consider CDC’s findings to be conclusive.

The outbreak under investigation comprises 62 illnesses in eight US states: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (12), New York (24), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), Texas (1). Twenty-three people have been hospitalized.

Two people who lived in different households got sick in Connecticut after eating papayas purchased from the same grocery store location in the week before becoming ill.

According to CDC, epidemiological evidence, including interviews conducted with some of the outbreak victims, points to papayas as the source of the outbreak.

FDA is conducting a traceback investigation to establish the source of the papayas. Early product distribution information indicates that they were imported from Mexico.

Senasica’s official response to CDC’s report is reminiscent of the initial Mexican response to the 2011 outbreak of Salmonella Agona illnesses caused by contaminated papayas imported from Mexico.

Back then, Mexico vehemently denied responsibility for the outbreak, even after FDA found the outbreak strain in samples of the imported papayas.

What will it take for Senasica to acknowledge reality?

And, what will it take for FDA to impose a complete embargo on the importation of papayas from Mexico?

What consumers should do

If you have purchased a papaya grown in Mexico, throw it away.
Do not eat fruit salads or other mixes that include papayas from Mexico.
If you aren’t sure the papaya you bought is from Mexico, you can ask the place of purchase. When in doubt, don’t eat the papaya. Throw it out.
Wash and sanitize places where papayas were stored: countertops and refrigerator drawers or shelves. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.

What restaurants and retailers should do

In the event that restaurants, retailers and/or other food service operators are found to have handled potentially contaminated food in their facilities, they should:

Contact their local health department and communicate to their customers regarding possible exposure to a pathogen.
Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.
Wash and sanitize display cases and surfaces used to potentially store, serve, or prepare potentially contaminated foods.
Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Conduct regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils used in processing to help minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

Recalls and Alerts: June 27 – 30, 2019

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: FDA and CDC are alerting the public to an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses linked to papayas imported from Mexico.

Food Safety Recall: Central Aquatics recalls Aqueon Betta Food (.95 oz jar; Item #100106051; Expiry dates EX04JUN22 and EX05JUN22; UPC 0 15905 06051 6) due to Salmonella contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Clover Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Sanwu brand Spicy Hot Bean Curd (150g; All product codes; UPC 6 905475 352002) due to undeclared sesame and wheat.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): VINESPA recalls certain Pandomar brand calamari products due to undeclared shellfish. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): TAYBA TRADING SPRL recalls certain YAMAN et BALADNA bulgar products due to undeclared wheat (gluten). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Lidl Danmark K/S recalls four varieties of Chef Select tortelloni due to lack of Danish language allergen labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Lidl recalls My Best Veggie’s Vegetarian Spicy Bean Burger bean soup (200g; Batch code L69136; Best before July 16, 2016) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Leonidas recalls Various boxed Leonidas Belgium Chocolates due to undeclared sesame seeds and nuts.

Allergy Alert (Italy): THE LORENZ BAHLSEN SNACK-WORLD GMBH & CO KG recalls NIC NAC’S ORIGINAL (125g with Promo sticker; Lots 9205, 9222, 9232, 9252; Best before 02/16/2020, 02/27/2020, 03/03/2020, 03/17/2020) due to lack of Italian language allergen declaration.

Allergy Alert (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco 2 British Cheese Burgers with Buns (469g; Use by 28, 29 and 30 June 2019 and 1, 3 and 4 July 2019) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Brugse Visrokerij Alloo recalls Alloo brand saumon doux fumé artisanal / mild smoked salmon (200g; Lot #32419 1306; Best before 09/07/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Kaufland Fleischwaren SB GmbH & Co. KG recalls certain K-Purland brand meat products due to foreign matter (red plastic pieces) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Damse Kaasmakerij recalls Herbal Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 17/07/2019) and Pepper Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 11/07/2019, 17/07/2019, 22/07/2019, 23/07/2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleischerei Stübner recalls Mettwurst fein / Fine Mettwurst (sold between 05.06.2019 and 28.06.2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gül Lebensmittel und Grosshandel recalls CEBEL Kirma yesil Zeytin / Kirma green olives (700g; 20.12.2020 (Series 201218) and 21.01.2021 (Series 020119)) as the product is unsafe for consumption due to a production defect and incorrect packaging.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Zorn GmbH & Co.KG recalls certain meat products, because Salmonella was found in a raw sausage batch. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Britvic PLC recalls Robinson’s Fruit Shoot Apple and Blackcurrant bottles (24 x 200ml multipack (Tesco and Costco) and 200ml single bottle (McDonald’s); Batch codes NO5 L9164, NO5 L9171 and NO6 L9171; Best before March 2020) because the spout within the sports bottle cap may become detached unexpectedly.

Food Safety Recall (UK – Northern Ireland specific): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK): Homeland By Products Ltd recalls Frozen Raw Beef pet food (500g; Batch code 1510; Best before May 2021), Frozen Raw Turkey pet food ((500g; Batch code 1513; Best before May 2021), and Frozen Raw Tripe pet food (500g; Batch code 1518; Best before May 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.