Popular Chocolate Snacks Recalled In 6 States — Are Yours Affected?
Just when I thought my chocolate stash was safe, news broke about a major recall affecting some of my favorite treats.
Several popular chocolate snacks have been pulled from store shelves across six states due to potential health risks.
As someone who practically considers chocolate a food group, I’m sharing what you need to know about these recalls to keep your family safe while satisfying those sweet cravings.
1. Mystery Metal Fragments Found In Truffle Boxes
Last Tuesday, I was unwrapping my favorite chocolate truffles when I spotted the recall notice online. Several premium chocolate companies discovered tiny metal fragments in their truffle production lines, affecting thousands of gift boxes shipped to California, Oregon, and Washington. The contamination apparently came from a broken mixer at the main production facility.
Health officials have reported three minor injuries from consumers who bit into affected chocolates. If you purchased truffle assortments with lot numbers starting with TR22 between March 1-15, don’t eat them! Return them to the store for a full refund. The manufacturer has established a special hotline (800-555-CHOC) for concerned customers with questions about potential exposure or replacement options.
2. Peanut Allergen Scare Hits Popular Candy Bars
Whoops! My nephew’s birthday party almost turned into an emergency room visit when we discovered his favorite chocolate bars were part of a massive recall. Several major brands failed to disclose peanut ingredients on their packaging, creating a dangerous situation for allergy sufferers across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
The FDA investigation revealed cross-contamination at a shared manufacturing facility that processes both peanut and non-peanut products. At least 12 allergic reactions have been linked to these mislabeled treats. Check your candy wrappers for batch codes BT2023-A through BT2023-F. The manufacturer is offering double refunds to affected customers as compensation for the scare. I’ve already tossed our suspicious chocolate stash—better safe than sorry!
3. Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Crunchy, sweet, and unfortunately contaminated! My weekly movie night snack just got yanked from store shelves in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana after health officials traced a salmonella outbreak to chocolate-covered pretzels. Twenty-seven people have fallen ill so far, with nine requiring hospitalization. The manufacturer has voluntarily recalled all 8oz and 16oz packages with expiration dates between April and June.
They’ve shut down their Dallas production facility for deep cleaning and investigation. Symptoms of salmonella include fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea appearing 6-72 hours after eating contaminated food. I had to call three friends who shared these treats at our gathering last weekend! If you’ve consumed these pretzels recently and feel sick, contact your doctor immediately and mention the recall.
4. Expired Ingredients Used in Budget Chocolate Assortments
Bargain hunters beware! Those too-good-to-be-true chocolate deals at discount stores across Illinois might actually be too good to be true. A regional chocolate distributor admitted to repackaging expired chocolate products and selling them under new labels with falsified expiration dates. Health inspectors discovered the scheme during a routine check when they noticed inconsistencies in lot numbering.
The company had been purchasing outdated chocolate from other manufacturers at steep discounts, then remelting and reforming them into assorted chocolates. While expired chocolate isn’t typically dangerous, it can develop odd flavors and textures. I actually bought one of these boxes last month and thought the white coating was supposed to be there! Look for discount chocolate assortments in heart-shaped or square red boxes with the brand name “Luxury Treats” or “Sweet Moments” and return them for refunds.
5. Counterfeit European Chocolates Flood Michigan Market
Fake Ferrero Rochers? Counterfeit Cadbury? You bet! My European chocolate obsession led me to discover something shocking about those “imported” treats at specialty shops across Michigan. Authorities have seized thousands of counterfeit chocolate products mimicking popular European brands but containing substandard ingredients and unsafe levels of artificial colors.
The counterfeit chocolates were manufactured in an unregulated facility with serious sanitation issues. Lab tests revealed traces of banned dyes and concerning levels of lead in some samples. Spotting fakes can be tricky, but look for slightly blurry packaging, misspelled words, or prices that seem suspiciously low. Legitimate importers are offering authentication services for concerned customers. I’m still mourning the loss of what I thought was my fancy chocolate collection—turns out those “Belgian” truffles were made in someone’s basement in Detroit!
6. Children’s Easter Chocolates Contain Excess Caffeine
Hyperactive kids after Easter weren’t just suffering from sugar rushes! A popular children’s chocolate brand recalled their bunny-shaped treats across Florida after tests revealed they contained nearly three times the labeled amount of caffeine. The company accidentally used a coffee-infused chocolate mixture intended for their adult product line. Several parents reported children experiencing unusual restlessness, headaches, and difficulty sleeping after consuming these treats.
The FDA is investigating how this mix-up occurred during the manufacturing process. Any chocolate bunnies with blue ribbon packaging and lot numbers starting with E23 should be returned immediately. I actually bought these for my niece’s Easter basket but thankfully spotted the recall notice before giving them to her! The company is offering gift cards valued at twice the purchase price to affected customers who return the products to authorized retailers.