South Texas Company Recalls Mexican Papayas

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) _ A South Texas company is recalling papayas imported from Mexico because they could be contaminated with salmonella.

Agromod Produce Inc. of McAllen says the Blondie, Yaya, Mananita and Tastylicious brand papayas sold before July 23 could be linked to 97 reported salmonella cases in 23 states, including 10 hospitalizations.

An advisory the company posted on the Food and Drug Administration website says the FDA found the salmonella strain in two papaya samples collected at Agromod and in Agromod-bound papayas stopped at the border.

The fresh, whole papayas were distributed nationwide and to Canada. Distribution has been halted while the FDA investigation continues.

In a statement, Mexico’s Agriculture Department said it’s “premature” to single out Mexican papaya as the outbreak source, but the company that exported the fruit is being inspected.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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