Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Dried Coconut

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people not eat recalled International Harvest, Inc. brand Go Smile! Raw Coconut, Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw or recalled Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic. Retailers should not sell or serve recalled dried coconut products. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

On March 16, 2018, International Harvest, Inc. recalled bags of Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut and bulk packages of Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw.

The recalled International Harvest, Inc. brand Go Smile! Raw Coconut was sold online and in stores in 9-ounce bags with sell-by dates from January 1, 2018 through March 1, 2019. Recalled bulk Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw was sold in a 25-pound case labeled with batch/lot numbers OCSM-0010, OCSM-0011, and OCSM-0014.

On March 19, 2018, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. recalled packages of Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic labeled with barcode 8034810 and packed-on numbers lower than 18-075.

Recalled Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic were sold in 10-ounce clear plastic bags with the Natural Grocers label. The packed-on number can be found in the bottom left-hand corner of the label.

Even if some of the recalled dried coconut was eaten or served and no one got sick, throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. Put it in a sealed bag in the trash so that children, pets, and other animals can’t eat it.

Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators and freezers where recalled coconut was stored.

If you aren’t sure if your dried coconut was recalled, do not eat it and throw it away.

The CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicates that dried coconut is the likely source of this multistate outbreak. Thirteen people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from eight states. Three hospitalizations have been reported, and no deaths.

Source: CDC