2017-2018 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Linked to Raw Coconut
On March 21, 2018 the CDC announced an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to consumption of International Harvest, Inc. brand dried coconut. PulseNet was used to identify cases. On May 18, 2018 the CDC declared the outbreak to be over. There were 14 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium reported from 8 states. WGS performed on bacteria isolated from ill people showed they were closely related genetically. Illness onset’s ranged from September 22, 2017 to February 26, 2018. Three people had been hospitalized. There were no deaths. In interviews with dill people, 7 of 8 people (88%) reported eating dried coconut from grocery stores. Of the 7 people who reported eating dried coconut, 4 people purchased the product at different Natural Grocers store locations. FDA and state health and regulatory officials collected dried coconut from ill people’s homes, as well as dried coconut from Natural Grocers store locations where ill people shopped and the Natural Grocers’ Distribution Center. FDA testing identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in an unopened sample of Natural Grocers Cocnut Smiles Organic collected from Natural Grocers. The outbreak strain was also isolated in an opened, leftover sample of Natural Grocers Cocnut Smiles Organic collected from an ill preson’s home. On March 16, 2018 International Harvest, Inc. recalled bags of Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut and bulk packages of Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw.
- Outbreak began:
- September 2017
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- California, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Texas
- Organism(s):
-
- Salmonella
- Vehicle(s):
- Coconut, dried
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Retail
- Brand Name(s):
- Coconut Smiles Organic, Go Smile! Raw Coconut, International Harvest, Inc., Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.
- Product Subject to Recall:
- Yes
-
- Recall Links:
- FDA.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm601529.htm
- Total ill:
- 14
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 14
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 3
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- No