FDA Gives Update on Chocolate Recall

(RepublicanJournal.org) – On May 3, Clasen Quality Chocolate Inc. issued a recall for more than 4 million pounds of its chocolate products due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. The products had been distributed in nine states across the United States. Now, there’s an update to the recall.

On June 18, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its classification of the products. It was listed under the Class II category, which is its second-most serious designation. Products that receive this classification pose “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” Class I is the most serious designation, while Class III is the least serious.

The products involved in this recall were distributed to

California
Iowa
Michigan
Georgia
Illinois
Ohio
Utah
Washington
Pennsylvania

The recall involves milk chocolate and white chocolate products, including

Milk Chocolate Flavored Confectionary Drop, Item #: 56074, 18,800 pounds
Milk Chocolate Crunch, Item # 56546, 844,740 pounds
Snow White Chocolate, Item #: 60949, 178,460 pounds sold in a bulk tanker
NGMO White Confectionary Wafer, Item # 60975, 38,675 pounds
Caramel Flavored Confectionary Drop, Item # 61661 (Research & Development sample), 1 pound
Milk Chocolate Flavored Confectionery Coating, Item # 60692, 87,045 pounds
White Chocolate Wafer, Item # 59152, 74,050 pounds
Milk Chocolate Wafer, Item # 51407 (Research & Development sample), 30 pounds
Milk Chocolate Flavored IC Coating, Item # 56546, 2,667,280 pounds sold in a bulk tanker

This is the company’s second recall. Last year, it issued a recall of its semisweet and milk chocolate products due to undeclared peanut residue, which could pose an allergy risk.

More than one million people are infected with salmonella each year, and most cases occur after consuming contaminated food. For most people, symptoms, which include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever, come on within 12 to 72 hours after consuming the contaminated product. Typically, they subside within a few days. However, those with weakened immune systems due to illness, or the elderly and infants, may be more susceptible.