The FDA announced today that an urgent nationwide recall of frozen mamey fruit pulp is in effect. Two brands of pulp La Nuestra and Goya may put consumers at risk for typhoid fever illnesses, the agency said.
The FDA is warning consumers not to eat frozen mamey fruit pulp sold under the La Nuestra brand by Montalvan Sales Inc. Ontario, Calif., or the Goya brand by Goya Foods Inc., in Secaucus, N.J, which have voluntarily recalled their products. Consumers are urged to discard the products immediately.
An investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners showed an epidemiologic link between an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella Typhi infections and these products, which are from a common supplier in Guatemala. .
At least nine people in California and Nevada are ill with typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, according to the CDC. Ill individuals have reported consuming mamey fruit pulp, including mamey fruit smoothies at juice stands.
Consumers also are urged to find out what brand of mamey products are being used in drinks prepared at juice stands and stores.
This outbreak of Salmonella Typhi is not related to the current outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis linked to eggs in their shells, the FDA said.
Infections with Salmonella Typhi cause typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is more common in developing countries, but eight of nine of the ill people report not having traveled outside the United States.
Typhoid fever is a serious illness that can result in death. People with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103
