Health & Fitness

Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Imported Maradol Papayas

The cases have been reported in 12 states, and there has been one death.

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PROVIDENCE, RI—The state health department is warning people not to eat Maradol papayas imported from Mexico. Here is the press release.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are advising that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell any Maradol papayas from Mexico. "Maradol" refers to a variety of papaya, not a brand. Maradol papayas have been linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis, involving at least 47 cases reported in 12 states that include the nearby states of Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. One reported death in New York has been linked to the nationwide outbreak.


Anyone who gets sick after eating a Maradol papaya should see a doctor or healthcare provider. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. In some people, diarrhea may be severe and the patient may need to be hospitalized. Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Caribeña brand papayas from Mexico have been identified as one brand linked to the outbreak. However at this time this brand does not explain all of the illnesses, so people should avoid all Maradol papayas regardless of the brand. Mexican papayas can be identified by the sticker on the fruit.

Grande Produce has informed the FDA that the company initiated a limited recall of their Caribeña brand Maradol papayas distributed nationwide from July 7 to July 18, 2017.

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What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?

Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have served any potentially contaminated papayas need to be concerned about cross contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils. They should follow the steps below:

  • Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators where potentially contaminated products were stored.
  • Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store potentially contaminated products.
  • Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination. (more)

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

Consumers should not eat Maradol papayas from Mexico and should throw away any such products they have in their hoIe. Consumers should ask the restaurant or retailer whether they use Maradol papayas and if so, avoid eating those products. At this time, CDC recommends people should not eat Maradol papayas from Mexico while the traceback investigation is ongoing.

For refrigerators and other food preparation surfaces and food cutting utensils that may have come in contact with the potentially contaminated papayas, it is very important that the consumers thoroughly clean and sanitize these areas and items.
Consumers should follow these simple steps:

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  • Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or new paper towel.
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
  • Wipe up spills in the refrigerator immediately and clean the refrigerator regularly.
  • Always wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitization process. (more)

Who Should be Contacted?

If you think you might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated papayas, talk to your health care provider. Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days, or is accompanied by high fever, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine.

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