WASHINGTON — The Maryland Department of Health is warning consumers to avoid Caribena-brand yellow Maradol papayas because they could be contaminated with salmonella, the department said in a July 19 news release.
The Caribena-brand yellow Maradol papayas are sold throughout Maryland, according to the department.
Maryland authorities tested five of the papayas collected from a retail location in Baltimore and discovered three of them were contaminated with salmonella. The department has not yet identified the source of the contamination, which could have occurred at any point in the supply chain, the department said.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and fever. Symptoms usually occur between 12 hours and 36 hours after exposure, can be mild or severe and usually last between two to seven days. Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
