Salmonella Enteritidis Peaches Shipped to Numerous Countries
The Prima Wawona peaches contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis have not only been shipped across the country, but also exported to several countries: Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. As of August 28, 2020, only three of these countries have issued recalls for Wawona peaches: Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand. Distributed nationwide in the United States from June 1, 2020, to approximately August 19, 2020, the infected Prima Wawona peaches have caused 78 total illnesses, requiring 23 hospitalizations. Although the products were distributed nationwide, illnesses have only been reported from the following states: Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has also reported illnesses caused by Wawona peaches, with 48 confirmed cases that required 11 hospitalizations. The outbreak was localized to two provinces: Ontario (32) and Quebec (16). The CFIA is currently conducting an investigation into the Canadian outbreak, though health officials have assured citizens that Canada grown peaches are not a source of the outbreak. In collaboration with the CFIA and CDC, the FDA is continuing their ongoing investigation to determine the official source of contamination that infected Prima Wawona peaches with Salmonella Enteritidis.
National Food Safety Attorney Ron Simon believes that more illnesses may be reported, “…due to the length of time and breadth of area over which the peaches were distributed…,” with contaminated peaches exported to numerous countries. Simon urges victims of the outbreak to seek medical and, when appropriate, legal assistance. His office has set up a Salmonella Help-Line at 1-888-335-4901 for those with questions. Ron Simon and Associates recently filed the first red onion Salmonella lawsuit in the nation in Riverside California against Thomson International and expects to file more as the peach outbreak continues.
