Federal and state health officials are currently investigating a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to Coconut Tree Brand Frozen Shredded Coconut.
As of January 12, 25 illnesses have been reported from 9 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Officials report illness onset dates ranging from May 11, 2017–November 4, 2017. Of the 25 people sick, 6 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
On January 3, 2018, Evershing International Trading Company recalled all Coconut Tree Brand Frozen Shredded Coconut after sample tested positive for Salmonella in Massachusetts.
On January 12, 2018, continued testing confirmed the Coconut Tree Brand Frozen Shredded Coconut for multiple strains of Salmonella. These test samples came from unopened packages sold before January 3, 2018. The CDC investigation is ongoing.
The frozen coconut linked to the outbreak is commonly used as an ingredient in Asian-style dessert drinks in restaurants and is also sold in grocery stores. Frozen shredded coconut can last for several months and may still be in circulation. The CDC recommends that consumers avoid Coconut Tree Brand Frozen Shredded Coconut.
Salmonella symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever of 100-102 F
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Body aches
Symptoms typically appear 6-72 hours after eating contaminated food and last for 3-7 days without treatment. If you or a family member start to experience symptoms, contact your local health department.