While the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) places health restrictions on the import of Mexican papayas, an industry representative has warned a large part of domestic-bound production carries serious health risks.

Papaya Productive System president Gustavo García Cuevas told Cambiodemichoacan.com.mx many growers were still showing poor management practices despite last year's health scare in the U.S.

"80% of the 2,000 cultivated hectares of Tierra Caliente are at risk of salmonella contamination, and that fruit is still distributed in the national market," he was quoted as saying.

"Producers should prevent with care and follow the health standards, however papaya growers have not abided by the rules and are not taking care of production."

He highlights there is still 20% of production in the region that does follow health standards, with worker hygiene rules in the orchards. However, the Papaya Productive System will need to give back MXN800,000 (US$60,818) to the Federal Government because 280 growers refused to join a health program to improve good practices on their crops.

The country's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development and Fishing (SAGARPA) certifies Rural Development Help Centers (CADER) in various parts of Mexico.

CADER chief Alejandro Banderas Reyes told the website that growers who wanted trade relations with the U.S. needed to send five shipments with samples of the fruit.

"And if it meets the quality and sanitary conditions then imports to the U.S. from Michoacán could be authorized, and until now two shipments have been sent, however in Mexico no health regulation exists that requires papayas to meet quality standards," Banderas Reyes was quoted as saying.

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