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SHOPPERS have been urged to check their pantries after a box of chocolates sold at a popular supermarket chain was recalled.
The candy was distributed to multiple US states before health officials uncovered a life-threatening ingredient hiding inside.
The Food and Drug Administration recalled Wegman’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils this week, which were sold at the brand’s 112 stores.
That’s because the chocolates don’t warn of the potential presence of milk, which could cause a life-threatening reaction to those with allergies, the administration said.
The product comes in 18.5-ounce packages and was produced by Mellace Family Brands California in Ohio.
The company admitted to the mistake and said it “was caused by a temporary breakdown in the suppliers’ manufacturing process.”
No one has experienced health issues from the chocolates yet, according to the FDA.
The candies were distributed to stores in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington DC before they were recalled.
Shoppers should know that the items could be contaminated with the allergen even if the best-by date hasn’t passed.
The recalled chocolates have best-by dates from December 28 to April 12, according to the recall notice.
Anyone who has purchased any of the chocolate is urged to go back to the store and get a full refund.
The affected lot codes are 55021, 55031, 55491, 55501, 56061, and 56071.
MORE RECALLS
The chocolate candy is just the latest in a string of contaminated items that had to be yanked from shelves.
One snack sold at Trader Joe’s was found to have life-threatening bacteria lurking inside.
The item that was affected was the Face Rock Creamery Vampire Slayer Cheddar Curds.
Health experts said that the cheese could contain listeria, a potentially deadly bacterium.
Listeria can cause people to fall ill with listeriosis, which is a dangerous infection that puts younger children and older adults at risk.
Recalled item sold at Wegman’s
WEGMAN’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils have been recalled.
Here are the product codes to watch out for:
- 55021
- 55031
- 55491
- 55501
- 56061
- 56071
Common side effects of the infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, diarrhea, and convulsions.
The bacteria can even cause pregnant women to have stillbirths or miscarriages, and newborns can be killed.
Listeria is often found in soft cheeses, milk, deli foods, and prepared meats.
The contaminated cheeses were distributed to Trader Joe’s locations in Northern California and Northern Nevada.
The contaminated foods come after the FDA issued an urgent recall across four states due to a Listeria outbreak linked to Fresh & Ready Foods that hospitalized at least 10 people.
Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria)
Symptoms usually begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food but could begin within hours or take up to 10 weeks.
Mild Symptoms:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Severe Symptoms:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
