WASHINGTON — The FDA updated their recall of Caribeña brand Maradol papayas and recommended that none should be eaten after multiple cases of salmonella Kiambu were reported across the country, including four cases in New Jersey resulting in one person being hospitalized.

The distributor of the papayas, Grande Produce, issued a limited recall of the the fruit distributed nationwide between July 7 and July 18. However, the FDA said the company has not issued a press release to notify customers so the FDA is advising that all Maradol papayas be avoided.

The FDA said there have been 47 reported cases, including 12 hospitalizations and one death.

New Jersey Department of Health spokeswoman Nicole Kirgan told New Jersey 101.5  there have been 12 cases in the state alone in Passaic, Essex, Bergen, Hudson, Union, Middlesex and Morris counties. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 92 years old, according to Kirgan, and all cases have recovered.

Outbreaks were also reported in states where Grande Produce did not distribute papayas. Other brands could also be involved.

The FDA said Maradol papayas are green before they ripen and turn yellow. If anyone has these papayas in their home, they should dispose of them immediately. These can be identified by a red, green and yellow sticker.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and appear 12 to 72 hours after being infected. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Children younger than 5, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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