Food safety officials have issued an update on a recall launched weeks ago over fears that a batch of chocolate treats contained hazelnuts, a potentially deadly allergen for some consumers.
A collaboration between two companies, Feve Artisan Chocolatier and Dandelion Chocolate, resulted in a treat called “Feve Artisan Chocolatier x Dandelion Chocolate Chocolate-Covered Cocoa Nibs.” But the FDA said the recall was voluntarily initiated by the manufacturers on June 24 “after it was discovered that a product containing hazelnuts was being distributed in Chocolate-Covered Cocoa Nibs packaging that did not disclose the presence of this allergen.” The recall only affected a single lot of the cocoa nibs.
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the “ongoing” recall as a Class II health hazard, meaning the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.” However, the classification is also used “when the likelihood of serious adverse health effects is remote.”
In total, the FDA has three recall classification classes. Class I is the most serious warning and includes the possibility of serious health consequences or death. Class III indicates that the affected product is not likely to cause health problems.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
A nut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the U.S., affecting about 0.5 to 1 percent of the population, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Allergic consumers may experience a range of symptoms after eating nuts, including abdominal cramps, vomiting, itching of the mouth, eyes or skin, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that prevents breathing and can send the body into shock.
The cacao nibs come in a black box with gold lettering and are sold in 4-ounce packages, according to the FDA warning. The product was sold in stores in San Francisco and Las Vegas, and also to customers online. No illnesses had been reported at the time of the recall last month.
The affected batch has the lot code FNDHI4C4 and the expiration date is March 3, 2025. Both dates are printed on a small, white rectangular sticker at the bottom of the package.
Newsweek contacted Dandelion Chocolate by email last month requesting more information and comment on the recall.
Newsweek contacted the company again via email on Tuesday, along with Feve Chocolatier, following the FDA’s update and classification of the recall.
FDA
Products are recalled when there are concerns that a food product could be harmful in some way. For example, if tests show that the products are contaminated with potentially deadly bacteria, or if there are concerns that the food has been contaminated with a foreign object from the manufacturing process.
This isn’t the first time undetected hazelnuts have been found in treats. An emergency recall was issued just after Thanksgiving last year when cookie makers discovered that their raspberry cookies actually contained hazelnuts.
Unusual knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
