Salmonella Contamination Leads To Chocolate Recall Across Nine States

A number of chocolate products have been recalled over fears they may be contaminated with salmonella. Nine products produced by Wisconsin-based Clasen Quality Chocolate Inc. (CQC) have been classified at a Class II risk level by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the FDA website, a Class II is issued when "a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

The items were originally recalled due to the potential presence of salmonella on May 3, but there was an update on June 18. They were distributed in the following nine states: California, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington.

The following chocolate products have been classified as a Class II:

• 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.

It's unclear at this stage how the products potentially became contaminated and if anyone has fallen ill. Salmonella is not uncommon: more than 1 million people in the U.S. contract salmonella annually, according to the Cleveland clinic.

Most infections, while unpleasant, are usually mild, and the majority of people recover within a few days without needing medical treatment. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and fever, which show up anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure. Severe diarrhea can also lead to dehydration.

It can pose a more serious risk for vulnerable patients, including people under 12 months old, over 65 years old, or those who have weakened immune systems. In rare cases, salmonella can lead to severe complications if it enters the bloodstream—such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis—that may require medical intervention.

There are several other products that are currently subject to a recall due to salmonella contamination. More than a million pounds of whey and lactose products were recalled this month by the Grande Cheese Company, with 24 U.S. states affected. Fresh cucumbers were also recalled following a sample test by officials in Pennsylvania that found salmonella in products produced by Fresh Start Produce.