The CDC has linked 13 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium to certain brands of dried coconut. Three of these people are reported to have been hospitalized. Our Salmonella lawyers are investigating lawsuits for compensation. To date, 8 states are involved: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
The CDC has determined that the following brands may post a risk of Salmonella poisoning: International Harvest, Inc. brand Go Smile! Raw Coconut, Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw and recalled Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic. If you or a loved one has been sickened after eating coconut, you can contact our law firm about a Salmonella lawsuit for compensation and justice.
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To date, the onset-of-illness dates for this outbreak range from September 22, 2017 to February 26, 2018. People from ages 1 to 73 years have laboratory confirmed cases that have been reported to the CDC. Sixty-seven percent of these people are female.
Below is an epidemic curve, or epi curve, for this outbreak. Illnesses that occurred after January 25, 2018, might not yet be reported because it can take weeks between the time when a person becomes ill and when the illness is laboratory-confirmed and then reported to the CDC.
Investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Linked to Dried Coconut Products
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicates that dried coconut is the likely source of this multistate outbreak, according to the CDC. The CDC is working with public health and regulatory officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
With a lawsuit, victims of this outbreak can seek information from these agencies. Additional information can be obtained from all of the companies involved.
Whole Genome Sequencing Provides Scientific Link
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) performed on Salmonella bacteria isolated from ill people showed that they were closely related genetically. This finding is evidence that people in this outbreak share a common source of infection.
The FDA and state health and regulatory officials collected dried coconut for testing from the following:
- ill people’s homes (leftover);
- Natural Grocers store locations where ill people had shopped;
- The Natural Grocers’ Distribution Center.
FDA genetic testing found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in an unopened sample of Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic collected from Natural Grocers. The outbreak strain was also found in an opened, leftover sample of Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic that had been collected from the home of someone sickened in the outbreak.
In addition, the FDA collected dried coconut from International Harvest, Inc. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium was found in samples of International Harvest Brand Organic Go Smile! Dried Coconut Raw and Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw.
Interviews with People Sickened in the Outbreak
Health officials interviewed people sickened in the outbreak, asking them what they had eaten in the week before they got sick. Seven (88%) of eight people interviewed reported eating dried coconut from grocery stores. Of the seven people who reported eating dried coconut, four of them said they had purchased the product at different Natural Grocers store locations.
Coconut Recall Information
There have been 2 recalls of coconut. You should not eat the recalled coconut. If you have leftovers that you think may have made someone sick, you should contact a lawyer for instructions.
Organic Go Smile! and Go Smiles Dried Coconut
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 Organic 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. These products were sold in various grocery stores. Regulatory officials are working to determine where else Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut and Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw were sold.
Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic
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. Read more: “Lawsuit for Salmonella from Coconut Smiles Sold by Natural Grocers.”