International Harvest of Mount Vernon, New York, is recalling 14,620 pounds of bulk and 24,270 bags of Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. The recall notice does not state whether or not any illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
The recalled products are International Harvest Brand Organic Go Smile! Dried Coconut Raw, in a 9 ounce poly/plastic bag. The UPC number on the product is 7 39446 40220 7, and the bags have the following “Sell by Dates” on the back of the bag: 010118, 020118, 030118, 040118, 050118,060118, 070118, 080118, 090118, 100118, 110118, 120118, 010119, 020119, and 030119. The second product is sold in bulk: Go Smiles Dried Coconut Raw in a 25 pound bulk case. The batch and lot numbers on that product are OCSM-0010, OCSM-0011, and OCSM-0014.
FDA analysis identified Salmonella in the product. The company is working with the FDA to determine the root cause of the problem.
The product was sold to consumers via online retailers, in retail stores, and through distributors. It was distributed directly to these states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Georgia, Vermont, Illinois, Florida, Maine, Washington, New Hampshire, and Utah.
If you purchased these products, do not eat them, even if you are going to cook with them. Cross-contamination can occur before cooking between the product and your refrigerator or pantry. Throw the coconut away in a sealed or double bagged packages, or take it back to the place of purchase for a full refund. Retailers that have sold bulk product sold clean and sanitize the containers used to hole the coconut.
