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Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Uganda Likely Linked to Whole, Fresh Papayas, June 2019

July 19, 2019 from FDA:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses likely linked to Cavi Brand whole, fresh papayas.

The FDA has asked Agroson’s LLC, the exclusive distributor of this brand, to conduct a voluntary recall of Cavi brand papayas. Agroson's LLC refused to initiate a recall. FDA contacted wholesale customers of Agroson’s LLC to ensure the fruit was no longer available for sale, has been discarded, or not further processed or frozen. FDA is doing this to protect consumers as it pursues additional protective and regulatory actions.

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, the product 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 are distributed by Agroson’s LLC.
• 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.
  Based on this new information, the hold FDA advised on June 28, 2019 for all imported Mexican papayas is no longer necessary.
  Distributors don’t need to withhold Mexican papayas from distribution, with the exception of the Cavi brand.

Salmonella Uganda Likely Linked to Whole, Fresh Papayas, June 2019

July 5, 2019 from FDA:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses likely linked to whole, fresh papayas.

The epidemiological and traceback information collected thus far in the investigation indicates that Agroson’s LLC of Bronx, New York, is the exclusive distributor of the imported papayas that likely made consumers from this outbreak sick. The papayas are sold under the brand name Cavi. To date, there have been no positive product samples.

Of the 71 illnesses, 69 have been reported in six states in the Northeast. One patient from Florida who was reported ill had traveled to Connecticut before becoming ill. Another patient from Texas who was also reported ill had traveled to New York before becoming ill

The FDA has consulted with the firm on the possibility of a recall. Should that happen, the FDA will update this advisory, including any recalled products, as more information becomes available.

The evidence does not indicate that papayas from other distributors are implicated at this time, and FDA is narrowing its recommendations to consumers, restaurants, retailers, importers, suppliers and distributors, limited to Cavi brand whole, fresh papayas. The FDA will continue its investigation to try to determine the root cause of the contamination of the implicated brand.

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.

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.

Based on this new information, the hold FDA advised on June 28, 2019 for all imported Mexican papayas is no longer necessary.

Distributors don’t need to withhold Mexican papayas from distribution, with the exception of the Cavi brand.