Natural Grocers Issues Recall on Coconut Smiles Organic Due to Salmonella

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Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc., a Lakewood, Colorado-based natural grocery chain, is recalling Natural Grocers brand 10-ounce Coconut Smiles Organic due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled product is packaged in clear plastic bags weighing 10 ounces and bears the "Natural Grocers" label. All packages with packed-on dates prior to 18-075 are subject to recall. The packed-on date can be found in the bottom left-hand corner of the label.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in some packages. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a sample of taken by the Food and Drug Administration tested positive for Salmonella.

The recalled product was distributed to 145 Natural Grocers stores located in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Consumers can find the specific locations of the Natural Grocers stores in those states at: https://www.naturalgrocers.com/storelocations/store-directory/.

Six illnesses have been reported by individuals who ate Coconut Smiles Organic purchased from Natural Grocers. Consumers who may have purchased this product should return it to the store for credit or refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company by calling Customer Service at 303-986-4600, ext. 80531, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MST).