Health
Alert for Allergy Sufferers: FDA Recalls Popular Chocolate Treats
Chocolate, with its rich, satisfying taste, is a universally loved treat. It can lift spirits even in small amounts. Whether in a chocolate ice cream cone, savored under the sweltering sun, or in a campfire s’more, its appeal is unmatched. But the joy of indulging in such treats requires vigilance on the part of the consumer, as two separate chocolaty delights have recently been recalled due to undeclared allergens.
These treats include BonBon candy bars and Full Circle Market non-dairy ice cream. On August 6, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that G.S. Gelato & Desserts, Inc. is recalling a constrained amount of Full Circle Market’s Coconutmilk Chocolate Almond Crunch Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert.
These products were marketed as a frozen dessert made from coconut milk but were found to in fact contain ice cream made with cashew milk. This discrepancy was brought to light by a retail store that pointed out the product’s packaging “stated two different products.”
Upon investigation, it was discovered that a batch of Nature’s Promise brand Cashewmilk Chocolate Almond Crunch Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert was dispensed incorrectly into cartons for the Full Circle Market’s product. Therefore, the “urgent recall” was issued due to the absent mention of cashews on the product’s ingredient list, leading to potential health risks.
“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashew run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the affected products,” warned the FDA.
The recalled ice creams were distributed in Georgia, Massachusetts, and New York and to retail outlets in several other states. While no adverse reactions have been reported yet, individuals with a cashew allergy or sensitivity are advised against consuming the product.
Allergens are also behind the recall of BonBon’s Marabou Sea Salt chocolate bars. These bars may contain undisclosed almonds, wheat, and nuts, causing a high-risk scenario for those with allergies and sensitivities. Consuming these products could result in “serious or life-threatening allergic reactions.”
The recalled chocolate bars were available at BonBon retail stores in New York, sold among other imported packaged goods. Though the packaging did mention “traces of nut and wheat,” these were not listed in the allergen profile, resulting in the recall.
To date, there have been no reported illnesses tied to the BonBon recall. However, those with allergies should peruse their pantries and identify and return any products with the “‘Marabou’ trademark font and logo, yellow plastic packaging and the word ‘[havssalt]:’ the Swedish word for ‘sea salt'”. The notification advises that the affected bars have expiration dates of April 9, 2024, and Sept. 11, 2024.
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