Goya Foods Recalls Frozen Mamey Pulp Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

A Secaucus, NJ company, Goya Roods, Inc. is recalling its Frozen Mamey Pulp sold in 14 ounce packages according to any announcement made by the FDA recently.  This product poses a potential health risk from salmonella to individuals who consume the product, which is used in making smoothies. The recalled product was distributed in AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT and WA through retail stores.

The UPC code on the Goya brand Mamey Pulp is 041331090803.  This product is packaged in a 14 ounce plastic package, but is not marked with an expirations date or lot number.  Salmonella bacteria causes symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases bloody diarrhea.

Since May 25 of this year, individuals from 2 states have been found to be infected with a matching strain of the salmonella serotype Typhi.  So far, 7 of these cases have been confirmed while 2 people are probable victims, meaning that they have the same strain of Salmonella and a strong epidemiologic link to the outbreak.  California and Nevada are the two states where persons were identified to have this strain of salmonella.

The logic behind the reasoning that these salmonella food poisoning cases originated from Goya Frozen Mamey Pulp is due to an epidemiologic study conducted by the CDC and public health officials.  These studies indicated that 71% of those who were ill did eat frozen mamey pulp in a smoothie, also sometimes called a licuado or batido.  Deeper in to the investigation, it was determined that 80% of the 5 who were confirmed to have the salmonella typhi strain had eaten the Goya brand Frozen Mamey Pulp in their smoothies.

This particular strain of salmonella can cause Typhoid fever, which is an extremely rare illness in the United States.  Mamey is sometimes referred to as sapote or zapote, and is a tropical fruit that is usually grown in South and Central America.  It is often added to jellies, milkshakes and other beverages after the inner seed is removed.

Those with symptoms who have eaten smoothies or other beverages prepared with this product should seek medical attention at once.  Some individuals may be at increased risk of complications including young children, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system.