Shredded coconut has been identified as the source of a salmonella outbreak in multiple states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.

Twenty five people have been sickened by what investigators believe is a related strain of salmonella Newport in nine states. Six people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported, the CDC said.

Testing indicates the likely source is Coconut Tree Brand frozen shredded coconut, distributed by Evershing International Trading Company. The product was recalled by the company on Jan. 3. 

Some victims reported having an Asian-style dessert drink at restaurants in the week before they fell ill. The product is distributed in Ohio, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Florida and Texas.

It was first identified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health after the coconut was used as an ingredient in a Boston restaurant, which the health department did not identify.

Most of the illnesses were reported in California (9), but also in Pennsylvania (5), Washington state (4), Massachusetts (2) and one each in Colorado, Oklahoma, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected] 

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