Steve,

Thanks for the recipe.

With the dates - regardless of Where they come from - make sure they are Preservative Free. Most have Preservative 220 - sulphur dioxide. Check it out at http://mbm.net.au/health/200-290.htm

Also, unless you're grating the coconut yourself and are buying dessicated coconut from a retail store of some description, you'll again need to check for preservative.

All dried fruit needs to be double check for preservative. And if in a Health Store that sells it in Bulk, ASK them if it's preservative free.

Michael Ross