Almost 100 Believed Sickened From Recalled Papayas

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced Tuesday that Agromod Produce of McAllen, Texas is recalling all papayas distributed nationwide because of potential Salmonella contamination.

Agromod is recalling all Blondie, Yaya, Maanita and Tastylicious brand papayas sold prior to July 23, 2011. In Colorado, the recalled papayas were sold around the state at Walmart stores.

The fruit may be linked to 97 reports of Salmonella Agona infection, including 10 hospitalizations, in 23 states throughout the United States. Recent sampling by the FDA found the outbreak strain in two papaya samples collected at Agromod Produce and at the U.S. border destined for Agromod Produce.

One confirmed Colorado illness has been identified. The person became ill in May and reported eating papaya, however the product may have been consumed outside of Colorado.

Anyone who purchased the fruit should return it. Walmart has pulled the product from its stores.

Recalled payaya brands can be identified with the following colored labels:

” Blondie – blue and orange sticker label with green and white lettering on the fruit that states Blondie 4395 Mexico; ” Yaya – yellow, red, orange and green label with white, green and red lettering that states Yaya 4395 Mexico. ” Maanita – green, yellow and red sticker label that states Maanita 4395 Mexico. ” Tastylicious – white and blue sticker with red and white lettering that states Tastylicious 4395 Mexico.