FDA Highlights Successful Mexico-U.S. Effort to Eliminate Salmonella Outbreaks from Papayas
A public-private partnership between the U.S. and Mexico has resulted in the elimination of Salmonella outbreaks following nearly a decade of recurring illnesses tied to the fruit, according to a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) case study, which provides a replicable blueprint for other commodities and supply chains.
Background: Salmonella Outbreaks from Mexican Papayas
Between 2011 and 2019, FDA and CDC investigated eight Salmonella outbreaks associated with imported papayas, resulting in hundreds of illnesses and two deaths. FDA said the 2019 outbreak marked a turning point, prompting a shift from enforcement-focused actions to a coordinated, preventive approach involving regulators and industry.
Approximately 85 percent of papayas imported into the U.S. originate from Mexico, underscoring the importance of supply chain-wide controls.
Regulatory Action and Industry Mobilization
In response to the outbreaks, FDA issued Import Alert 21-17 for fresh papayas from Mexico, increased inspections and border sampling, and called on industry to conduct root cause analyses, improve agricultural water management, enhance traceability, and invest in preventive research.
FDA partnered with Mexican authorities, including the National Service of Agri-Food Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) and the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS), along with industry stakeholders such as the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) and importers.
These efforts led to the formation of ProExport Papaya, an industry group that worked with regulators to implement standardized food safety practices and training programs across the sector.
Preventive Controls and Standardized Practices
From 2020–2023, industry, with support from FDA and Mexican regulators, developed tools to improve food safety, including best practices for production and handling, standardized root cause analysis protocols, self-audit checklists, and guidance for compliance with FDA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP).
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Training initiatives emphasized compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including the Produce Safety Rule and Food Traceability Rule under FSMA Section 204(d). SENASICA also updated its certification program to incorporate papaya-specific safety standards and audit benchmarks.
Verification and Ongoing Oversight
Since 2024, the partnership has focused on verification and long-term sustainability. FDA said it has prioritized the inspections of papaya operations in Mexico, while industry groups have expanded audit programs, conducted farm visits, and increased data-sharing with regulators.
Additional efforts have included on-farm readiness reviews, technical assistance on sampling and root cause analysis, and expanded training on new regulatory requirements.
Retailers have increasingly required adherence to these best practices, and industry groups are developing continuous improvement systems, including unannounced audits of farms and packinghouses.
Importance for Food Safety and Industry Implications
According to FDA, no Salmonella outbreaks linked to Mexican papayas have been identified since 2020. The agency also reported improved compliance with FSMA requirements, enhanced communication among stakeholders, and increased transparency across the supply chain.
The case study concluded that preventive, science-based interventions—supported by collaboration between regulators and industry—were more effective than reactive enforcement alone.
FDA said the model could serve as a framework for improving food safety in other commodities and global supply chains by aligning regulatory expectations, strengthening industry accountability, and expanding access to training and resources.
