CHOCOLATE RECALL MAP SHOWS NINE STATES IMPACTED BY HEALTH WARNING

A number of chocolate products have been recalled in nine states over concerns they may cause food poisoning.

Several chocolate and confectionary items produced by Wisconsin-based Clasen Quality Chocolate Inc. (CQC) have been classified at the Class II risk level by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products were originally recalled on May 3 this year due to potential salmonella contamination, and the updated classification was issued on June 18.

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According to the FDA, a Class II recall indicates a situation where use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, with the probability of serious outcomes being remote.

The affected products were distributed throughout the U.S. in nine states: California, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington.

The products included in the recall are:

• Milk Chocolate Flavored Confectionery Drop - Lot code: 4074CH60CL15.
• Snow White Chocolate - Lot codes: 4057WH31OTBD, 4093WH34OTBD, 4101WH32OTBD, 4114WH31OTBD.
• Milk Chocolate Flavored Confectionery Coating - Lot codes: 4055CH90OTBD, 4056CH91OTBD, 4056CH93OTBD, 4044T202OTBD, 4045T227OTBD, 4050T215OTBD, 4051T227OTBD, 4051T225OTBD, 4052T226OTBD, 4053T224OTBD, 4056T228OTBD.
• White Chocolate Wafer - Lot codes: 4094WH73CL11, 4094 WH74CL11.
• NGMO White Confectionery Wafer - Lot code: 4075WH78CL12.
• Milk Chocolate Wafer - Lot code: LAB-014915.
• Milk Chocolate Crunch - Lot codes: 4046T216OTBD, 4051T208OTBD, 4051T212OTBD, 4059T209OTBD, 4059T217OTBD, 4059T231OTBD, 4070T229OTBD, 4071T216OTBD, 4071T218OTBD, 4080T212OTBD, 4081T219OTBD, 4089T229OTBD, 4093T208OTBD, 4093T209OTBD, 4094T229OTBD, 4107T208OTBD, 4107T224OTBD, 4107T227OTBD, 4117T204OTBD.
• Milk Chocolate Flavored Confectionery Coating - Lot codes: 4103T225OTBD, 4104T229OTBD, LAB-015025.
• Caramel Flavored Confectionery Drop - Lot code: LAB-015188.

How the products potentially became contaminated with the food borne pathogen is not detailed in the FDA's classification update, and there have been no reports of illness at this stage. Newsweek reached out to CQC for a comment through their website's contact form outside of regular working hours.

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Salmonella is relatively common bacterial infection in the U.S., with over 1 million cases recorded annually, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It is one of several food borne pathogens that can cause food poisoning, of which there are around 48 million cases per year in the U.S. alone, according to the FDA. Other well-known causes of food poisoning are E. coli and listeria.

Most salmonella infections, although uncomfortable, are typically mild and resolve without the need for medical intervention within a few days. Symptoms, which can appear between six hours and six days post-exposure, include abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, headaches and fever. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration and may require a trip to your healthcare provider.

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For vulnerable individuals—such as those under 12 months, over 65 years, or with weakened immune systems—salmonella can pose a more significant risk. In rare instances, if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, it can cause severe complications like arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis, necessitating medical treatment.

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2024-06-20T10:49:54Z