DeLauro Calls on FDA to Do Its Job and Halt Deadly Salmonella Outbreak

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration's active investigation into a multistate outbreak of Salmonella in papayas. Since the outbreak began in May, 46 people in 12 states have been sickened, 12 people have been hospitalized, and 1 person has died. “This deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to papayas is the latest example of deficiencies in our food safety system. It is outrageous that despite months of illnesses, and even the loss of life, we still do not know the direct source of the Salmonella outbreak. I strongly urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to do everything within its power to quickly identify the source, including issuing an import alert on suspected farms and halting the importation of papayas until the FDA and CDC can complete their investigations into the outbreak. American consumers need to trust that the food in their grocery stores are safe,” said DeLauro At this time, traceback investigations have identified Caribeña brand papayas from Mexico distributed by Grande Produce LLC as one brand linked to the outbreak. Grande Produce issued a limited voluntary recall for Caribeña brand Maradol papayas distributed between July 10 and July 19, 2017 on July 26, 2017. The FDA has not issued any “Import Alerts” for the suspected farms. DeLauro is a senior member on the subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is overseeing the investigation of papayas.